Hamilton believes reliability is key

Lewis Hamilton says that finishing every race will be essential for Mercedes to allow him to win his fifth world title.

With Red Bull and Ferrari expected to be closer to Mercedes this year than last year, so Mercedes’ reliability will have to be up to scratch to fend off the rivals.

Hamilton says: “We have to finish every single lap of every single race for 21 races.

“We can’t miss one. That is the objective, reliability is crucial in getting those points.”

Hamilton is expected to go head to head with old rival Sebastian Vettel, as both drivers look to win their fifth world title and become only the third driver to do so in Formula One history.

Vettel knows that he is the number one driver at Ferrari, but Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has refused to appoint a number one driver, telling the media: “They are racing drivers. Both of them deserve to go flat out and try to win the race and give it their all.

“That is what matters the most for a driver.”