Lewis Hamilton is expecting Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel to be a tougher rival for the title than ex-teammate Nico Rosberg was over recent seasons.
After three years of Mercedes domination in which Hamilton and Rosberg were able to engage in a private battle for the title, Ferrari has emerged as a rival for the championship this season. Vettel beat Hamilton to victory at the opening round of the season in Melbourne and Hamilton is expecting the threat from the four-time world champion to be greater than the one from his old teammate Rosberg.
"Definitely," he said. "This year you are seeing the best drivers at the top.