LEWIS HAMILTON’S Mercedes team are confident they have fixed their challenger for this season after a mixed spell on track during testing. The new F1 season kicks off this week in Bahrain where Hamilton and his team-mate George Russell hope to be able to take the fight to world champion Max Verstappen. Hamilton was second-quickest on the final day of testing behind Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez. And while he says the team are “not quite where we want to be” he has reasons to be optimistic going into the new season. Aston say they will allow Stroll extra time to recover however if he does not pass a fitness test it will be reserve driver Felipe Drugovich who will compete in the race.

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