Formula 1 opener: Mercedes, Ferrari and Co. in a form check

MERCEDES Figuratively speaking, Mercedes didn't even take off its warm-up jacket during the winter test drives. The world champion racing team of the past four years impressed with extremely strong racing simulations. World champions Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, unlike their big rival Ferrari, never had the fastest set of tires fitted - that speaks for gigantic self-confidence. Mercedes will (once again) be the team to beat.

FERRARI Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel also got through the tests well with his “Red Goddess”. No problems, plus the absolute best time in the eight-day test run. Nevertheless, Vettel was by no means in a good mood before flying to Melbourne. There is too much concern that Mercedes and possibly also Red Bull are ahead of Scuderia. If the impression from the “sharp” start in Australia is confirmed, things will quickly become uncomfortable at Ferrari.

RED BULL For the first time in years, the former world champion racing team appears to have a car capable of achieving top results at the start of the season. If everything fits together, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo can turn last year's red versus silver duel into a three-way battle all year round - and also add even more spice to the Drivers' World Championship. However, there is a question mark behind the power and stability of the Renault engine.

FORCE INDIA The surprise team of the last two years was among the losers in the tests. No outliers upwards, but various problems. After two fourth places in the constructors' championship in a row, the small racing team will have a difficult time against the more financially powerful competition from Renault and McLaren.

WILLIAMS The former world champion team finds itself in a vicious circle: Because there is no money, both regular cockpits were given to paid drivers. But 19-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll and rookie Sergej Sirotkin from Russia have yet to prove that they are top-class drivers. The trend therefore continues to point downwards.

RENAULT The team led by Nico Hülkenberg from Emmerich wants to compete for the World Cup in 2020. This goal may seem ambitious, but ahead of their third season after the Formula 1 comeback, the French actually seem to have taken the next step. The performance at the tests in Barcelona was more than decent. A jump to fourth place - although some behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull - seems possible.

TORO ROSSO Another small winner from the test drives was Toro Rosso. Red Bull's little sister "inherited" McLaren's unloved engine partner Honda - and performed surprisingly well and consistently in Barcelona with the Japanese engine in the rear. The relatively inexperienced driver pairing of Pierre Gasly (France) and Brendon Hartley (New Zealand) could become a weak point.

HAAS The Ferrari customer has become remarkably close to the big partner in Barcelona. What set off alarm bells at Scuderia is great news for the US team. In the third year of Formula 1, Haas should regularly be involved in the fight for points. MCLAREN There is no end to the epidemic: During the test drives, McLaren was the "breakdown king" with six defects over eight days, and former world champion Fernando Alonso took refuge in his usual cynicism. Stability also seems to be the big drawback in year one after Honda. It is of little use that McLaren has apparently increased its pace.

SAUBER With the strategic partner Alfa Romeo, the team wants to move away from last place. Euphoria is not appropriate after first impressions, but at least the connection to the midfield seems to have been established. Rookie and Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc, who took over the cockpit from Pascal Wehrlein from Worndorf, has yet to arrive in the shark tank of Formula 1 despite all his talent.

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Formula 1 opener: Mercedes, Ferrari and Co. in a form check

Next Sunday (7.10:1 a.m. CEST) Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel, world champion Lewis Hamilton and Co. will start the new Formula XNUMX season in Australia. Who's in a good mood? Who has to step up? The teams in the SID form check.

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