Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes will likely be preventing for scraps behind Ferrari and Crimson Bull on the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Hamilton certified fifth in a session that felt like a altering of the guard in F1 after eight years of Mercedes being the benchmark.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc edged out Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen for pole as their teammates Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez locked out the second row, confirming the preseason perception these two groups are forward of the remainder coming into the brand new yr.

Mercedes has downplayed its probabilities over the previous few weeks and Saturday’s qualifying session proved it had not been bluffing, with Hamilton 0.6s down on Leclerc’s pole time, a big margin over an F1 qualifying lap.

“I am not saying I am relieved, [but] I am typically actually completely happy at present,” Hamilton informed Sky Sports activities after qualifying, having struggled to get snug together with his Mercedes over the three follow classes this week and in testing final week.

“Given how we have been the previous couple of weeks, the struggles we have had and the issues we have had with the automobile, it’s kind of of a nightmare to drive. We have simply saved our heads down, saved working away and I am happy with everybody for simply staying constructive.

“To get fifth in quali, these guys forward of us are in one other league. So I am typically pleased with the place we’re. It isn’t the entrance row, however we’ll make enhancements and do the perfect we are able to tomorrow.”

Hamilton says he doesn’t suppose he’ll see a lot of the 4 automobiles forward of him throughout Sunday’s race.

“These guys will likely be going away… We’re not within the struggle with these.

“They have been a second forward of us yesterday by way of race tempo, so my battle is with the fellows behind most definitely. However after all I am going to attempt to be as quick as I can and get forward, however as I stated their efficiency is sort of forward of ours.”