F1: Hamilton admits Ferrari are fastest and Vettel joins Mercedes
World champion expects ‘toughest battle yet’ against the Scuderia

As Sebastian Vettel recorded the quickest time of pre-season testing his Formula 1 rival Lewis Hamilton admitted that Ferrari were leading the pack ahead of the new campaign.
Sky Sports reports that Ferrari ace Vettel topped the timesheets in Barcelona on Friday morning with a lap time of 1:16.221. As of lunch on the final day of testing Vettel remained in No.1 spot ahead of Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas.
Reigning F1 world champion Hamilton will hit the track in his Mercedes W10 on Friday afternoon and speaking to Sky Sports he warned that Ferrari are the ones to beat in 2019. However, the British driver also said it could take four races before the teams know where they stand.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hamilton said: “I think the gap [to Ferrari] is potentially half a second. Ferrari are the fastest. This is going to be the toughest battle yet. Ferrari’s pace is very, very good at the moment. The challenge is going to be harder than ever.
“Testing is testing. There’s no reward for being quick in testing. We don’t know because everyone has different engine modes and fuel loads. It will be four races before we really know where we stand.”
The first grand prix of the season will take place in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday 17 March.
Vettel joins Mercedes
Planet F1 reports that Vettel has signed for Mercedes… not Sebastian, but his younger brother Fabian.
With Sebastian starring for Ferrari in F1 and Fabian set to drive for Mercedes in the ADAC GT Masters series, the Vettel family loyalties could now be tested.
“Mercedes was always our opponent,” said Fabian Vettel. “It was like that practically for the whole family, because my brother has always raced against them, so in the beginning it was funny.
“But I have no problem that my brother battles Mercedes in Formula 1 and I drive for them in the GT Masters.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Could the next pope be an American?
Today's Big Question Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is a possible 'superpower pope'
-
Today's political cartoons - May 6, 2025
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - rare earth minerals, rising prices, and more
-
What to know about Real IDs, America's new identification cards
The Explainer People without a Real ID cannot board a commercial flight as of May 7, 2025
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
In the Spotlight 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
In the Spotlight Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice