F1 News
Mercedes think Ferrari are "clear favourites" in China
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Despite winning the first two races of the season, Mercedes are concerned about the power deficit between themselves and rivals Ferrari, which could be highlighted by the power-heavy circuits in China and Baku.
Bahrain, a power-heavy circuit in itself, was dominated by Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc taking pole position and pulling away from the pack. However, the Monegasque suffered a power issue which saw him drop to third place behind both Silver Arrows.
Still, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas remains realistic as he fears for the upcoming two Grands Prix.
“The next two races, China, Baku, it’s massively long straights," Bottas told RaceFans.
"I think [in Bahrain] they [Ferrari] were making more than four-tenths only in the straight lines, a lap. And we can’t find four tenths like this.
“We are improving the car all the time. We need to review what we can do for the straight lines but it’s going to be tough.”
His team principal Toto Wolff reflected those statements, as the Austrian dubbed the Scuderia as the clear favourites in Shanghai, the 1000th Grand Prix in Formula 1 history.
“I would say if they are able to hold the power on the level, and I don’t know what on the engine failed, but if they are able to maintain those power levels in Shanghai on a power-sensitive circuit like Shanghai, they are the favourites, clearly.
"Because the lap time benefit might even be more than in Bahrain.”