Watch out for BMW, warns Hamilton

The German squad have shone thanks to their race pace since the start of the season, and they are currently in third place in the constructors' championship.

BMW were one of the most impressive teams during testing in Bahrain last month, and although Hamilton expects McLaren and Ferrari to fight for victory, the Briton has warned not to write BMW off.

"I think it is going to be pretty similar to what we have had in the last couple of races," Hamilton told reporters after practice.

"There will be the two Ferraris and the two McLarens, and I think some of the other teams have got a bit of work to do to get close to us.

"BMW are extremely quick as well though. We definitely have to look out of them, as they have a lot of potential. But let's wait until final practice tomorrow. We don't know what fuel people were running today."

BMW drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld were third and seventh fastest respectively in today's practice.

Hamilton, looking for a third consecutive podium finish, believes McLaren are closer to Ferrari this weekend.

"I think generally Ferrari seem to be very consistent on long runs, but today the gap seems to be a lot less than in the test. So that is positive on one side, but we also need to keep pushing as well," he said.

"I feel quite optimistic for tomorrow and I think we have definitely got the pace for one lap and we are more consistent over one lap."

The Briton, however, reckons Ferrari remain the team to beat, despite McLaren's one-two at the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend.

"We have definitely been working extremely hard to improve the car but I don't believe in three weeks we have closed the gap completely to Ferrari," Hamilton added.

"We have definitely made some steps forward, but they seem to be just as quick as they have always been. So the gap has got closer, but I still think they are the quickest car out there and we have got a lot of work to do to close the gap."