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Lewis Hamilton believes that Mercedes is having to over-deliver on race weekends in order to beat Ferrari. The two major manufacturers are involved in a close tussle this season, which is seeing the title pendulum swing weekend-to-weekend in favour of the other.
Currently, there are 10 points separating them at the top of the standings. The Silver Arrows has bagged five victories, while Ferrari has four to its name so far in 2018. Hamilton thinks that Mercedes is the inferior team this year, and it will have to continue to over-deliver in order to come out on top.
"We are racing a team that is faster than us this year,” he said. “Last year we were quite balanced, as there were some weekends they were faster than us and some weekends we were faster than them.
“But this year it is swinging more in their direction. We are having to over-deliver on race weekends and pull out more on weekends where we are not quick enough. The pressure to extract every millimetre of every ounce is greater than ever if I want to be number one at the end.”
Hamilton says that the closeness of the title fight means that neither team can afford a mistake, as it could prove very costly: "Ultimately last year we reached just as high in terms of pressure at some point - it is just that this year it is even closer than last year as you know, so the smallest mistakes are even more costly.
“Then there is more pressure. That is the same for any sport if you know the last shot or last serve is the most important point it is the most intense battle,” he added.
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Rindtchamp
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Yeah sure.. whatever you say Lewis. zzZZZ