Sebastian Vettel is the favourite for the 2018 title despite losing his world championship lead to Lewis Hamilton, according to Sky F1's Damon Hill.

After starting the season with back-to-back victories, the in-form Ferrari driver has since lost out in China and Azerbaijan with Safety Cars at both races playing into his rivals' hands.

The Baku restart, followed by Vettel's lock-up and Valtteri Bottas' puncture, helped Hamilton claim an unlikely first win of the season for Mercedes and he is now four points ahead of his fellow four-time world champion in the drivers' standings.

But even Hamilton insists he is not happy with his and his car's form, and when asked if the smart money was on Vettel for a fifth crown this season, 1996 world champion Hill told Sky Sports News' Craig Slater: "I think it is.

"You look at where Lewis is, he's winning the championship but he's had a bit of good fortune whereas Sebastian has had a bit of bad luck.

"Sebastian and Ferrari are definitely floating to the top."

As well as being in contention for all four race victories, Vettel has also taken every pole position since Hamilton and Mercedes dominated the season-opening shootout in Australia.

And the narrow points gap between the two drivers makes this weekend's Spanish GP, live and exclusive on Sky Sports F1, all the more crucial with both Ferrari and Mercedes expected to introduce upgrades.

Williams shouldn't become 'Mercedes B team'

Hill, speaking to Sky Sports News at the end of his charity bike ride for the halow project, which was founded to help young people with learning difficulties, also offered his opinion on Williams' future.

The Grove team, who Hill won his world title with, have made a dismal start to the campaign, only securing their first points at the last race in Azerbaijan.

And Lance Stroll's father Lawrence, who has financially backed his son's stay with Williams, has admitted he tried to persuade the team to follow the Haas-Ferrari "route" by using key car parts from Mercedes.

But Hill said Williams would the be in danger of becoming a Mercedes 'B' team.

"The problem with that is that you're always going to be dependent on the teams that are dominant," he added.

"If Ferrari are making customer cars for teams like Haas and Mercedes make them for Williams, let's say, you're going to be a B-team. So the future is not bright."

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