4-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Mercedes have “lost performance”. He believes that the team has not been the same since Melbourne. However, he is confident that the Silver Arrows can bounce back.

With 3 races down, Hamilton is surprisingly still winless. The good news is that he is just nine points behind championship leader Sebastian Vettel.

Hamilton says that Mercedes are not at their best, but both can turn things around.

“We’ve lost performance since Melbourne, and maybe more so [in China],” Hamilton said.

“So we are second- or third-fastest team at the moment, so we’ve got some improving to do, but that’s not impossible.

“I think what this team has shown over the years is that we are great at staying united, and continuing to barrel on and keep working.

“So I know everyone here and back at the factory is just going to keep pushing as hard as possible.

“I think we’ve got a lot of information over the past couple of weeks. So I certainly also am also pushing very hard, James Vowles and James Allison, Niki [Lauda] and Toto [Wolff], trying to encourage them.

He said that the team have to keep constructive pressure on themselves. But they are already under a lot of pressure as they want to win just as much as Lewis. Everything is about working as a team.

Hamilton also said that the 2018 title has more meaning to him as Ferrari and Red Bull are putting up a huge fight.

He added: “If it continues the way it is, it’s going to be very tough to win.

“But if there’s an opportunity, and we were to finish on top, it would mean even more, as it’s even a tougher season than before.”

Can Hamilton win title number 5 or will that honour go to Sebastian Vettel? Who will join the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio? Place your wagers.