Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue

Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be

Feature
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be

The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all

Feature
Formula 1
Hungarian GP
The Red Bull seat nobody is talking about – and why that's the biggest compliment of all

Yamaha names experienced crew chief to oversee Martin's adaptation in MotoGP

MotoGP
Yamaha names experienced crew chief to oversee Martin's adaptation in MotoGP

The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse

Feature
MotoGP
The humble origin story of a MotoGP powerhouse

How much do MotoGP tyres cost and who pays for them?

MotoGP
How much do MotoGP tyres cost and who pays for them?

Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week

General
Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week

Kay back to top of Autosport National Rankings

National
Kay back to top of Autosport National Rankings

McLaren's Alonso believes Mercedes looks 'stronger than ever' in F1

Fernando Alonso believes Mercedes looks "stronger than ever" following the first two days of Formula 1 pre-season testing at Barcelona

While the world champion team has not yet topped the times in Spain, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg comfortably completed the most laps on Monday and Tuesday.

"The Mercedes domination has not finished," said McLaren driver Alonso.

"They are very, very strong, and they are doing some interesting days of testing.

"These first two days, with that amount of laps [328 in total] means you have very clever things.

"So when you add the potential they are stronger than ever, even more than the last two years."

TECH ANALYSIS: The Mercedes W07

Rosberg, who was fourth quickest on Tuesday having only used the medium-compound tyre, said it was obvious there is more to come from Mercedes.

"We've been quite successful at the moment, and then laptime-wise of course it's not realistic where we are," he said.

"We haven't shown our cards yet, we're still holding back.

"The car is quick, but of course the opposition also seems to be quick, so how quick we are nobody knows for now."

While Rosberg's comments suggest Mercedes will show a bit more of its performance before testing is complete, Alonso believes the true picture will only emerge at the first race.

"There is no crystal ball in Formula 1 that tells you in what direction the season will go after two weeks of testing," said Alonso.

"We need to wait until Australia when we are all on the same conditions, with the super-soft tyre, with low fuel, and then we will see.

"Even then we will have to wait for two or three races to see how the year will turn."

Previous article New Force India F1 car has big potential - Sergio Perez
Next article 2016 F1 cars sound 'more like F1', reckons Sebastian Vettel

Top Comments

Latest news