Hamilton praises Red Bull before Brazilian GP, admits rivals 'stronger everywhere'

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton commended the 2021 Formula 1 title contenders Red Bull Racing Honda for their performance and strength on the circuit.

"I think they (Red Bull) are going to be stronger all weekend. They are stronger everywhere at the moment... It's just a fact," Mercedes driver Hamilton, 36, told media Thursday upon a question.

The Brazilian Grand Prix will be run in Sao Paulo's Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on Sunday. The race will be held over 71 laps in 4.3-kilometer (2.6 miles) circuit.

"If we can have (weather) conditions like this, maybe we can throw a spanner in the works, but they are a bit ahead at the moment," Hamilton said, hoping for rain in Sunday's race to spoil Red Bull's efficiency.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Hamilton have been in a fierce competition for the 2021 title. He added that they traveled for 15 hours to reach Brazil, which is "very long".

Verstappen is leading the 2021 driver standings with 312.5 points.

The 24-year-old won nine Grands Prix this season including the previous two races held in the US and Mexico. So Verstappen is dominant in the 2021 campaign.

Reigning world champion Hamilton comes second as he has gained 293.5 points so far.

This season the British star was victorious in five Grands Prix as Hamilton last won the Russian GP on Sept. 26.

But only four races are left in the 2021 Formula One World Championship.

​​​​​​​Hamilton's Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas has 185 points this season.

After Brazil, teams will respectively visit Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to conclude the season in December.

In this year's constructor rankings, Mercedes are staying on top with 478.5 points but the gap against nearest challenger is quite narrow.

Red Bull collected 477.5 points to be hot on Mercedes' trail.

Third-place Ferrari collected 268.5 points.