Red Bull is emerging as a potential favourite for the 2018 world championship. After Mercedes' Toto Wolff said on Tuesday that Red Bull is leading the testing pack, Daniel Ricciardo smashed the Barcelona circuit record on day two of the final winter test.
"It's very close between Ferrari, Red Bull and us," Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda agreed in conversation with Auto Motor und Sport. "Right now it looks like a head-to-head between Red Bull and us. We don't know about Ferrari yet, but going by Wednesday they are a little behind," he added.
Australian Ricciardo thinks Mercedes still has the edge over Red Bull. "I'm not sure about Ferrari, but I think Mercedes still look very fast," he said. "But at least we're not a second behind like last year."
Some British bookies are showing Ricciardo with odds of 10-1 for the championship. The Australian smiled: "I'm not a big gambler but if one of my friends is watching, then I'd say put a cheeky $75k on it."
As for the battle behind the big three, Renault appears to be leading the pack. "Toro Rosso looks a bit better than expected, and Force India a little worse," said Williams' Rob Smedley. "We are in the middle, roughly at the level of Haas." (GMM)
Really, I'l be very surprised about that. Mercedes will be in front shortly followed by Ferrar/Redbull. The fact that Renault is devising an strategy to run 4 instead of 3 engines over the season will also have an effect. Not much to read into these test but as a main vain it might be that redbull is closer to Mercedes which is good for the championship.
I think it is still Mercedes with Ferrari behind. the Renault engine still has to much lack of power. If the Renault power is more reliable, RB can may be hold up with Ferrari on certain tracks and on the street circuits RB will become favorite, but it won't be enough to challenge Mercedes.
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Replies (4)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
Really, I'l be very surprised about that. Mercedes will be in front shortly followed by Ferrar/Redbull. The fact that Renault is devising an strategy to run 4 instead of 3 engines over the season will also have an effect. Not much to read into these test but as a main vain it might be that redbull is closer to Mercedes which is good for the championship.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, anything more even in the top field is good news for F1.
Sirhenry
Posts: 759
Renault with the 2016 ERS....pffff
Patentprutser
Posts: 396
I think it is still Mercedes with Ferrari behind. the Renault engine still has to much lack of power. If the Renault power is more reliable, RB can may be hold up with Ferrari on certain tracks and on the street circuits RB will become favorite, but it won't be enough to challenge Mercedes.