Lewis Hamilton has been warned that Mercedes are 12 months behind rivals Red Bull by principal Toto Wolff - as the British star faces another season trailing Max Verstappen.
The seven-time world champion had hoped to leave the car troubles which plagued last season behind him in Mercedes' new W14 model. However, the British driver has been left frustrated again with a "miserable" car and has given a bleak outlook for the remainder of the season.
Verstappen battled his way back from 15th on the grid at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix earlier this month and Hamilton said he "didn't even bother" battling with the two-time world champion as he flew past on his way to finishing second.