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Mercedes lacked the performance to run at the front in Friday practice for the 2023 season opener in Bahrain, with Hamilton ending up over six tenths off the pace in eighth in the best of the two W14s.
It followed a difficult pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit last week, where Mercedes appeared to be lagging behind its main rivals – leading to suggestions it could face another uncompetitive season.
But come the first qualifying session of the season, Hamilton from Q2 in third place, and then qualified seventh in the final session, a place behind team-mate George Russell.
The seven-time world champion said that the team had made some good progress after a difficult Bahrain test and a disa …