Haug: Sepang 1-2 confirms title potential

"Mercedes is always expected to be at the front," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"This is our ambition too, and there are chances to win the world title now.

"This is what we work day and night for. It's what we'll keep on doing - without big proclamations, in order to take the Silver Arrows to the top in the end."

Haug admitted that he had not expected McLaren-Mercedes to get back on terms with Ferrari so soon after the Italian team's dominant Australian Grand Prix victory.

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton passed the Ferraris at the first corner at Sepang, and were able to stay ahead to the end despite Ferrari still appearing to have a slight speed advantage.

"I'm surprised myself by how quickly we've recovered the gap we had from Ferrari," said Haug.

"But Sepang has really been a dream weekend for us. A class performance.

"Alonso confirmed to be the most complete driver in F1, and a debut like Lewis Hamilton's is the stuff dreams are made of. It was a world class performance the way both overtook the Ferraris at the start."