Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari looks 'very, very strong' in F1 testing

While Mercedes has not focused on headline times at Barcelona this week, Ferrari has impressed with both the pace and reliability of its new SF90.

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has been quoted as suggesting Ferrari could be half a second clear of everyone else at present, but Hamilton insists the true picture is not clear.

"I don't think you can put a figure on it but Ferrari are very, very strong right now," he said.

"They are racking up great mileage as well, so it appears they have a better package than they had last year. It means it will be even more of a challenge for us this year."

Hamilton said it was hard to compare Mercedes' pace to Ferrari's because their testing programmes were so different.

"They've been looking great," he said. "We are just digging deep trying to understand the car, pretty much the same as the beginning of every year.

"The Ferraris always particularly look strong, particularly in the last few years, they have looked strong right at the beginning. So that is to be expected. We are just going about our process."

Hamilton said the priority for Mercedes was to focus on making its car better, rather than wasting effort trying to work out how rivals are performing.

"We let everyone else do their thing and try to focus, really dig deep, and try to make sure our processes are better than ever before," he said.

"Making sure we are analysing the data better than ever before, and the delivery from the drivers' point of view. The feedback that I give, make sure it is more accurate than it has ever been before."

Even if Ferrari carries over its strong start into the opening races, Hamilton has faith that Mercedes can fight back.

"Right now we are competing against our past selves as a team," he said.

"We are really trying to raise the bar in all those areas, and all the engineers back at the factory are raising the bar.

"It has been super impressive to see the atmosphere within the team after all these years of success that we have had. To see that the hunger is still there. To see that the drive is still there.

"No one is phasing out. No one is backing off. Everyone is pushing full steam ahead. It has been a difficult winter for the guys back at the factory, probably the most difficult one with the rule change once again, but if anyone can do it I truly believe it is my guys.

"We are the only team to have won a championship in a crossover of a rule and I am confident that, even if we don't start on the right foot, particularly by the first race, I feel confident [of success]."