Hamilton: we can still catch up

Lewis Hamilton is relieved Red Bull have not translated their domination in qualifying into racing as it means the rest of the field are still in contention.

Red Bull have started on pole in all six grands prix this season and on Sunday Mark Webber led from start to finish ahead of team-mate Sebastian Vettel at the Monaco Grand Prix.

It was the Australian's second victory in the space of eight days following his victory in Spain and the Red Bull pair now head the drivers' standings on 78 points to lead Fernando Alonso and reigning world champion Jenson Button by three and eight points respectively.

Hamilton, who was fifth in Monaco, told reporters: "If they had also won every race they would be miles ahead by now.

"They would have so many points, so for us it's quite good at the moment to see we've got a chance.

"I know at some stage we will catch them up and then we will be racing with them and they would not be having such easy races.

"I am praying every day that we do, and although I doubt it will be the case, you never know what will happen in this sport."

McLaren team-mate Button concurred, saying: "At the moment you would say the Red Bull is the most competitive car.

"We have to try our best to take points off them because if they are reliable, consistent and don't make mistakes then over the next few races they are going to be very difficult to beat."

Webber, 33, insists he is keeping his feet on the ground rather than getting carried away thinking about the world title.

"I have done well for two races," he said.

"In terms of good results, if I get three, four or five in a row, podiums or whatever, then that's a good run.

"So, we will go to Turkey and we will keep chipping away because we all know things can change very quickly in this game.

"So it's a case of keeping our feet on the ground."

No appeal

Mercedes decided yesterday not to appeal the 20-second penalty imposed on seven-times champion Michael Schumacher in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

The penalty imposed on the German driver for overtaking Ferrari's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in the finishing straight saw him drop out of the points from sixth place to 12th.

Schumacher had, he thought, acted within the new regulations laid down by the sport's governing body FIA in being able to overtake once the safety car went off the track, but his former team Ferrari contested this.

Schumacher presently lies ninth in the overall standings on 22 points after six races, some 56 points behind joint leaders Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel of the Red Bull team.