MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff claims it is only a very long shot that Lewis Hamilton will be able to fight for the world championship. Wolff’s bleak verdict came after the opening round of the season where Hamilton’s Mercedes team were outclassed by Ferrari and Red Bull. “If we look at the pecking order today, it seems it will be a very long shot to even think about being in contention for the drivers’ or constructors’ championships,” said Mercedes team principal Wolff. Mercedes have dominated F1 in recent years, winning a record eight constructors’ championships in a row, while carrying Hamilton to six of the last eight drivers’ titles. And Hamilton’s team-mate Russell suggested the problem could be with Mercedes for the rest of the 23-round campaign.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•