It is really a shocking thing to see Lewis Hamilton not being the clear favorites, I have been used to seeing him as low as under 1.6 for some races in the day and now seeing him tied with someone else seems just a bit weird honestly. I still think that he has a bit more advantage, I can't speak about if Red Bull car finally managed to reach to a level where it is definitely better car, or if we reached to a level where they are at least tied, however I can say that he is by far the best driver as you might imagine, and he will want to be alone at the top so it is going to take a lot to actually take it away from him.
Max Verstappen is one of the best drivers as well, and he has a good car as well, but I do not know if he is there yet. Bahrain was definitely a good show, if Max races once or twice like this, it will definitely be a close season for sure.
Yes its really a strange thing, but i think its correct. This year regulations destroy the low rake cars (Mercedes and the copy of Mercedes,AM).The RedBull car its clearly ahead but LH is more driver than Verstppen for the experience he have in your back and Mercedes its more team than RedBull in terms of management of decisive moments and comebacks. After all i think Mercedes can come back and destroy RB in the season like before they are made vs Ferrari in the past seasons, but this time RB seems really strong and MV really want to fight the title and he knows he have the car this year for that.
There could be a huge competition between Verstappen and Hamilton for the title this season. 
