Former Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton backed Ferrari and Red Bull to be the top contenders for the title this season. Hamilton said that Ferrari could possibly have the quickest car this season as he witnessed the progress of the Italian team at the ongoing pre-season testing in Barcelona.

Williams driver Felipe Massa set the pace on day one, but Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was less than 0.2 seconds behind on a slower tyre. Hamilton was fourth fastest for Mercedes, 0.5 seconds behind the German. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was second fastest overall on Tuesday as he kept swapping time with Vettel.

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“Ferrari are possibly the favourites,” Hamilton said. “We can’t take our eyes off them, they are doing such a great job. And Red Bull look like they’re going quite quick today. It is going to be close at the first race for sure.”

The first race is in Australia on March 26.