LEW HAS IT TO DO

LEWIS HAMILTON admits he will have to beat a “phenomenal car” as Sebastian Vettel completed a hat-trick of pole positions, for today’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

It was still Hamilton’s best starting position since pole in the Australian season-opener.

“Ferrari were quickest all weekend and they obviously have a phenomenal car this year. But I’m really happy with what the team did to get us from where we were yesterday,” said Hamilton (below). “We are in the mix.”

And Hamilton hit back at F1 chairman emeritus Bernie Ecclestone, who claimed on Friday that the British ace “is not the racer he was. Maybe he is getting tired.“

Hamilton, yet to extend a Mercedes deal which expires at the end of the year, said: “We will see [if Ecclestone is right] at the end of the season.”