LEWIS HAMILTON could suffer a major blow if Fernando Alonso stays in contention for the Formula 1 world championship.
The Brit's old rival and former McLaren team-mate has had a stunning start to the 2023 campaign after switching from Alpine to Aston Martin.
Alonso, 41, has earned two podiums in the opening pair of races this year – only being beaten by the Red Bulls.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has finished fifth in both Grands Prix – with Mercedes' new car not having the pace to compete with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
What will frustrate the seven-time world champion even more is that Aston Martin have seemingly built a quicker car with many of the same parts.
The Silverstone-based team has the same engine, gearbox and rear suspension as Mercedes.
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While their car also uses the same wind tunnel.
Due to their affiliation with Aston Martin, Mercedes would rather them be the nearest challengers to Red Bull, if it can't be them.
Spanish outlet The Objective even claim that the Silver Arrows could prioritise giving their customer team their highest performing power units – in what would be a huge blow to Hamilton and team-mate George Russell.
Hamilton, 38, has been in a bad mood with his car this season.
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He has even been linked with a sensational move to Ferrari, with Merc boss Toto Wolff admitting he'd understand if Hamilton wanted to leave if the Silver Arrows couldn't provide him with a winning car.
Hamilton has tried to quash the rumours, saying: "I’m not focused on that — I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on this journey with me.
"I don’t envisage being anywhere else, I don’t see myself quitting.
"I wouldn’t say it’s giving me a lot. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place. I must keep trying."
When Russell was promoted to third-place following a time penalty for Alonso at the weekend's Saudi Grand Prix, which was later overturned, Hamilton said: "George did great and is up there on the second row.
"But I don’t feel connected to this car and no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it."
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