Hamilton ready for renewed Ferrari challenge after past Baku struggles

Lewis Hamilton says he is expecting a tough fight for race victory around the Baku City streets with the championship leader expecting teammate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari to be quick.

The Mercedes driver currently leads the world championship after the Silver Arrows' dominant start to the season. Hamilton however does not expect his form to last forever, admitting Baku has been a weak circuit for him.

Despite taking the win last season, the reigning champion was honest in how victory fell into his lap while he added he's expecting Ferrari to bounce back after a difficult start to the season.

“It’s a really great track and it’s one that I’ve honestly struggled at a little bit, particularly last year,” he told Sky Sports F1.

“It will be interesting, and I’m going there with a mindset that I’ve got to try and improve my previous years’ performance.

“I was fortunate to get the win there last year but I wasn’t quick enough really through the weekend.

“It’s a place I expect Valtteri to be quick and I expect the Ferraris to be particularly quick.”

Last season, Bottas looked as though he would cruise to race victory after a late safety car until a bizarre puncture handed the win to his teammate Hamilton.