Manama: Lewis Hamilton is confident his Mercedes team have the potential and resources to fend off Ferrari's resurgent form and stay on top in defence of their Formula One world titles this year. The defending champion and current series leader won Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in a Ferrari to open up a 27-points lead in the drivers' title race ahead of his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who was third.


Lewis Hamilton. Pic/AFP 

But with Raikkonen making a dramatic late charge for glory just a few weeks after his new Ferrari team-mate, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, won in Malaysia, the Italian team proved they are improving rapidly. Hamilton, however, believes Mercedes can match Ferrari's progress in the 'development race' that always accompanies the drivers' on track battles as the season unfolds. "I'm confident," he said after the 36th win of his career on Sunday.