Lewis Hamilton believes it is “far too early” to say Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas is his only rival for t💛his year’s Formula 1 drivers’ championship, despite the duo stealing a march on the res𒉰t of the field in the early part of the 2019 season.

Hamilton and Bottas took two wins and two second-place fin🌟ishes apiece as🌊 Mercedes recorded an unprecedented four one-two finishes to start the season.

Bottas leads Hamilton by a single point at the top of the drivers’ champio🧸nship by virtue of his fastest lap in Australia, with third-place Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari already 35 points off the top of the standings.

However, Hamilton said following Sunday’s Azerbaijan Gﷺrand Prix that it is still too early in the year to define the title fight in 2019 as being a two-horse race between the Mer𒐪cedes drivers.

“It’s far too early to say that one pers♛on is the title rival,” Hamilton said.

“Ferrari this weekend had good ꦺpace in practice and in qualifyꦫing. I think if both cars delivered as we delivered, and their drivers delivered as we delivered, I think it would have been a lot closer.

“But we still have to stay on our toes. We didn’t bring an upgrade this weekend and Ferrari did, ꧑so it’s a little bit of a surprise performance-wise, beca൩use at some stage we will bring an upgrade.”

Asked how he sa❀w his relationship with Bottas changing through a possible title fight, Hamilton said: "I can’t tell 🅘you what’s going to happen further in the year. I can’t judge if one’s character will change or not.

"Drivers in the past didn’t stick to the rules of engagement that we have as a team, and Valt🌞teri does."

Hamilton added that he thought the margins between the title contenders in 2019 “appear smaller” than they were la🦩st year, but relished the prospect of a difficult fight for a potential sixth world title.

“Last year I think they were pretty ꧅tight as well on numerous occasions. But you want it to be the toughest battle,” Hamilton said.

“Then when you do achieve your goals, 🍬or 🎀reach your goals, then it’s even more satisfying.

“But that’s when you do, this w♊eekend I didn’t, so a long way still with a certain feeling, and I’ll harnಌess it.”