Hamilton unfazed by early gremlins

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton insists he will not waste time worrying about his team’s pre-season troubles ahead of his bid for an unprecedented eighth Formula One world championship.

Mercedes, who have won the past seven drivers’ and constructors’ titles, have not been at their imperious best during the sole three days of testing prior to the new campaign, which starts in Bahrain on March 28.

A gearbox failure saw the Silver Arrows miss almost all of the opening morning in the Gulf Kingdom on Friday, before Hamilton lost more track time when he spun off into the gravel on day two.

Hamilton then spun in the concluding 45 minutes yesterday as he geared up for a quick lap. The Briton finished the final day of action more than a second off the pace.

But Hamilton, 36, said: “I don’t waste time worrying because that deters you from finding a solution.

“It is better when it doesn’t go smoothly, and it is better that it doesn’t go smoothly now and does go smoothly when we start racing. This is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems, so I welcome them.

“Everyone is just keeping their heads down. Nobody is fazed by it. We are a multi-time championshipwinning team and we know how to pull together and stay focused on the job.”

Max Verstappen set the fastest lap of the test on the final afternoon and, while lap times have to be treated with a degree of a caution, there is no question that Red Bull have enjoyed an encouraging three days.

Indeed, Verstappen could prove to be Hamilton’s closest challenger for a title that would take the Briton clear of Michael Schumacher in the record books.

Red Bull will also boast a more experienced line-up this season with Sergio Perez, a veteran of almost 200 races, replacing the London-born Alexander Albon.

Hamilton said “It is without doubt quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams and Red Bull are looking particularly strong.

“They will be a different machine and animal this year with a strong driver line-up and really good car.

“You can only assume they are going to be right there, if not at the front, at the first race and it is going to be a great, long battle with them throughout the year.”

Verstappen, 23, said: “It is too early to say how we will do but I have positive feelings in the car.”

Hamilton also took time to hail Murray Walker as the greatest television commentator following the broadcaster’s death.

The death of Walker, whose remarkable career spanned more than half a century, was announced on Saturday evening. He was 97.

Reflecting on the former BBC and ITV broadcaster, Hamilton said: “I just remember hearing this iconic voice. Growing up, and watching all the grands prix, he really made the sport exciting.

“Even without watching the TV when you are out of the room, you hear him.”

Leading final round scores and totals (USA unless stated, Par 72):

274 Justin Thomas 71 71 64 68

275 Lee Westwood (Eng) 69 66 68 72 276 Bryson DeChambeau 69 69 67 71, Brian Harman 67 71 69 69

277 Talor Gooch 71 68 71 67, Paul Casey (Eng) 73 67 67 70

278 Corey Conners (Can) 68 72 72 66 279 Shane Lowry (Irl) 68 74 69 68 280 Victor Perez (Fra) 73 71 69 67, Si Woo Kim (Kor) 72 70 67 71, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 65 72 71 72, Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng) 68 68 72 72, Jon Rahm (Spa) 72 68 67 73, Jason Kokrak 70 72 71 67, Daniel

Berger 74 68 71 67, Charles Howell III 73 70 71 66

281 Sung Jae Im (Kor) 72 66 77 66, Ryan Palmer 70 72 68 71, Charley Hoffman 70 68 76 67, Cameron Smith (Aus) 71 73 65 72

282 Will Zalatoris 70 71 70 71

283 Tyler McCumber 72 69 72 70, Tom Hoge 69 71 71 72, Patrick Reed 70 72 70 71, J. T. Poston 76 68 69 70, Dylan Frittelli (Rsa) 71 68 76 68, Adam Long 70 74 67 72, Abraham Ancer (Mex) 72 70 68 73 284 Keegan Bradley 70 72 73 69, Joaquin Niemann (Chi) 73 71 70 70, Harry Higgs 71 73 67 73, Doug Ghim 71 67 68 78,

Cameron Percy (Aus) 73 70 73 68, Adam Hadwin (Can) 74 69 71 70

285 Ryan Moore 75 69 71 70, Phil Mickelson 71 72 71 71, Patton Kizzire 70 69 72 74, Lanto Griffin 73 71 68 73, Jason Day (Aus) 70 71 71 73, Brendon Todd 74 69 71 71

Selected others:

286 Zach Johnson 75 68 72 71, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 73 69 74 70

287 Jordan Spieth 70 74 68 75, Dustin Johnson 73 70 73 71, Adam Scott (Aus) 72 71 73 71

292 Russell Knox 71 73 72 76

293 Martin Laird 73 71 76 73