Ferrari sniff Formula 1 title chance but Lewis Hamilton warns Mercedes remain the benchmark

Fresh from his breakthrough Ferrari victory at Barcelona, Hamilton arrives at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix with renewed confidence after ending Mercedes' unbeaten run. The result moved Ferrari closer in both championships, with Hamilton now 41 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli while the Scuderia trail Mercedes by 72 points in the Constructors' standings.

Ferrari have not stood still either. Following their major aerodynamic package in Spain, the team has introduced another step forward at the Red Bull Ring with a revised power unit under Formula 1's ADUO development regulations. Hamilton believes every gain matters as Ferrari try to close the gap.

Asked whether Ferrari can now sustain a championship challenge, Hamilton told reporters in Spielberg: "I think the opportunity is there, but it's one thing being there and it's another thing galvanising the troops and developing.

"You can hit plateaus in terms of development, so all we can do is take it one day at a time, and all we can do is really continue to bring everything.

"Everyone brings something to the team and everyone back at the factory is working so hard. They see what's possible, and when you see what's possible, it's a north star, you know that's the direction we need to go.

"Whether the team has had that for a while, I'm not sure, but last year we didn't really have a north star, and this year we have it. This year, everyone is doubling down, everyone is putting that extra bit of work in even more than before."

Hamilton made it clear Barcelona should not be viewed as a turning point that suddenly makes Ferrari favourites. Instead, he sees it as confirmation the development direction is finally paying dividends.

He explained: "I think it's starting to show, and the stuff coming this weekend, we do have a new engine. It's a step, not the whole gap, but it's a step. It's one foot forwards, which I'm really proud and thankful for.

"Still, Mercedes are the team to beat, they've won everything else and they've been just incredible this year, a great car, an amazing team, a World Championship team. So, we have a real battle on our hands, and it's going to take everyone for the rest of the year to even come close to competing with them, but I don't think it's impossible."

Hamilton's assessment reflects Ferrari's approach since Barcelona. Team principal Fred Vasseur has repeatedly urged caution despite the team's first victory of the season, insisting consistency rather than one result will determine whether Ferrari can genuinely challenge Mercedes across the remaining rounds.

The Austrian Grand Prix will also provide the first competitive test of Ferrari's latest power unit upgrade on a circuit where engine performance plays a significant role.

Hamilton also dismissed suggestions that one victory had completely changed the narrative surrounding his Ferrari career after enduring a difficult first season with the Scuderia.

He said: "It's been crazy to see the flip and people changing their minds from the things they were saying previously.

"I don't really take much notice of that. I think what I've seen, and most importantly for me, is the love from the fans and how people experienced it with me. That meant a lot.

"In terms of the championship, I'm not letting that stuff... I've been here before. I know what I have to do, and there's a long way to go. We're not arriving at this weekend thinking about the championship, we're thinking about this weekend, executing the best we can.

"I think you saw Fred Vasseur's comments, because I guess everyone gets excited by this. It's about, 'Calm down, feet on the ground, let's keep doing our due diligence, let's make sure we keep executing'.

"There are no shortcuts to success. We all bring something to the table in the team, and I'm so proud of how hard they're all working. We've just got to keep going, keep levelling up. That's what I'm here to try and do."

Ferrari arrive in Austria carrying momentum for the first time this season, but Hamilton knows one victory will count for little unless the Scuderia can continue reducing Mercedes' advantage over the coming races.

Spielberg will offer an immediate indication of whether Barcelona marked the beginning of a sustained title challenge or simply Ferrari's strongest weekend so far.
(Reporting by Agnes Carlier at Red Bull Ring)