LEWIS HAMILTON has insisted Mercedes are capable of catching Red Bull – after a fresh blast at his current car. However, the race eventually unravelled as Russell’s car set ON FIRE on lap 18 and Hamilton was breezed past by the Dutchman, who claimed his first-ever win in Australia. Following the race, Hamilton praised the efforts of the team back in the Mercedes factory, but described Red Bull as being in “another league”. Prior to the safety car caused by Alex Albon spinning off, Russell and Hamilton had been keeping Verstappen at bay. However, Hamilton does not believe his team-mate being there would have been enough to thwart Verstappen’s efforts to win the race. He added: “Max is in another league, his car is so fast.

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