The seven-time world champion finished fifth in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, over 50 seconds behind the race winner, Max Verstappen. It was a sobering weekend for Hamilton, who complained before the season-opening race that Mercedes were on the “wrong track”. I said the issues that are with the car,” Hamilton told the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast on Wednesday. “I think it’s really about accountability,” the 38-year-old added. It’s not where it needs to be and we’ve got to work’”. Most of the grid have followed the design philosophy pioneered by Red Bull last year when Verstappen dominated – and Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell has predicted that the Dutchman’s team could win all 23 races this year.

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