Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1's midfield teams will be closer to the front𓆏 of the grid in 2019 than in recen💎t years, saying the gap could be as small as half a second.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have dominated proceedings in F1 for the past six seaso♛ns, with the last victory forꩲ a team outside of that trio coming at the start of 2013.

The teams ran comfortably clear of the midfield teams throughout last season, but Hamil๊ton thinks this gap may have been cut heading into 2019, as w🐠ell as anticipating a closer fight with Ferrari and Red Bull at the front of the field.

"No, I think it is the three teams [in contention at 𒁏the front], but also the teams at the back hav꧅e closed up as far as I’m aware," Hamilton said.

"The whole pack has closed up. I don’t know which team is fourth c🧜urrently, but they are a lot closer than they were before. There was like a second gap before but now they are within half a second or maybe less, which is awesome.

"So depending on how their development is during the year and whether they have the capacity to d💯evelop as quickly as the top three teams will be the question, but it will be exciting.

"Maybe we will some races where Renau🐈lt or the Racing Point will be a lot high✨er than they were in the past."