Formula One news

Hamilton not favourite for win, says Haug

Lewis Hamilton looked like he was back on the pace in Thursday's free practice session. The reigning world champion has yet to win a race this season. According to Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug Hamilton is not one of the favourites to win Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix - as he did last year.

"I would not see us as the favourites currently," Haug said in Thursday's press conference. "I've been to Monaco quite a few times and I think it's always a good sign if a car goes out and it's immediately amongst the fastest. This is basically the same on every race track, if you can achieve that that's good but it's even more important here because that shows that you have the right confidence and Lewis is not completely happy with the car and nor is Heikki but it was quite a good start.

"I think the team has a Page 4 of 6 lot of competence in terms of the Monaco-type of race track but I wouldn't make a prediction now. It's so tight, 12 cars have been in one second, some used the option, some used two sets of option, some had higher fuel loads, some lower fuel loads. I think we will see a different order. Ferrari will be strong, that's for sure. Brawn will be strong, Red Bull will be stronger than they have been and I think Renault, probably Toyota… it's a handful and I think Williams will be seriously strong here."

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