&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "F1 2026 | Hamilton acknowledges Ferrari 'not as fast as Mercedes' after 3-4 finish in Australian GP")
Lewis Hamilton, the 7-time F1 champion, has conceded that his former team Mercedes is faster than his current team Ferrari. The statement comes after Hamilton finished fourth in the Formula 1 2026 season's first race - Australian Grand Prix - at Melbourne on Sunday (Mar 8). The British driver, however, acknowledged that Ferrari is 'in a fight' with Mercedes and it is not impossible to catch up with them. Mercedes ended the race with 1-2 finish after George Russell took the first place on the podium while his teammate Kimi Antonelli from Italy took the second place. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished the race on the third place, ahead of Hamilton.
How Fearrai can catch up with Mercedes?
In the first 12 laps at Melbourne on Sunday, Leclerc was first while his Ferrari teammate Hamilton was third with Mercedes' Russell in between. The Mercedes driver then took advantage of a virtual safety car for a net pitstop while Ferrari chose not to do so and it costed them the first place on the podium. Hamilton, after the race, acknowledged the tactical error and vowed to take care of it.
"We’re not as fast as Mercedes but we’re right in the fight. We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch them but it’s not impossible. We got a third and fourth and ultimately Mercedes were quicker than us. We need to see if stopping would have been better. I definitely thought we should have come in or, at least one of us, to cover the Mercedes. We will look to see what we can do better,” said the 7-time F1 winner as reported by Guardian.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff accepts fight from Ferrari
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet the next gen of South Cinema: From Rajinikanth's grandson to CM Vijay's son, star kids ready for debut
)
At least 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho restaurant, shocking video of gunman open firing with AR-style rifle surfaces
)
Salman Khan enters Alliance to support brother, Sohail, netizens hail, 'tomorrow’s episode is going to be MASSIVE'
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'Delimitation designed to disenfranchise Tamil Nadu': Rahul Gandhi urges parties to oppose Bill
)
Mysterious structures uncovered beneath the Amazon show millions of humans once lived here
)
US offers $15mn reward to dismantle alleged IRGC drone funding network
)
Indian govt clarifies foodgrain use for ethanol production, says 'E20 saved ₹30/litre on petrol prices' during global oil shock
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
More than 100 Israeli soldiers walk out of base, chant slogans in an 'act of rebellion' | Watch
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
)
Kim Kardashian shares sweet moment with boyfriend Lewis Hamilton during summer vacation
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Massive explosion at Moscow restaurant kills at least 3; woman suspected of carrying bomb
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
)
‘US is locked and loaded’: Trump calls off Iran attack but sets THESE conditions
)
German anatomist 'Dr Death's' family to grant his creepy last wish
)
Jared Leto controversy: Dylan Sprouse's old tweet resurfaces amid sexual assault allegations
)
‘Satanic’ chainsaw-wielding rescue bot leaves internet divided: ‘Those eyes are horrifying’
)
Pakistan avalanche: Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Are you an Indian on an H-1B visa? New US bill could make getting Green Card easier
)
Hrithik Roshan reacts to 'sorry Hrithik' trend, Kangana Ranaut slams him, mentions Saba Azad: 'You are in a committed relationship'
)
Ariana Grande's Petal video fuels debate as fans voice concern over her appearance
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Buying Russian oil could cost India dearly? MEA breaks silence on US 100% tariff bill
)
Nearly Rs 29 crore cash, 15 kg gold found at ex-bus driver's house in West Bengal
After the race, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff acknowledged the threat from Ferrari and said: "It was a three-way fight at a certain stage between the two Ferraris and George, and eventually Kimi caught up. The race pace at the end was very encouraging from our side, but at the beginning, there was nothing between Ferrari and Mercedes. For me, the prevailing feeling is now we have a fight on our hands with Ferrari."
