Bakkerud downplays Mercedes form

Double-R Racing's Bruno Senna dominated both races, leading to the belief that Mercedes could have the upper-hand this season from previous pace-setters Mugen-Honda.

Nine of this season's cars are powered by an influx of crack Mercedes power-plants in the championship, which have been very successful in the F3 Euroseries championship.

Bakkerud, with Mugen-Honda power, finished second in yesterday's second race more than seven seconds behind Senna, but believes the twisty nature of the Cheshire circuit flattered the German power-plant.

"The Mercedes was really strong out the chicane and up the hill, they have really got a lot of grunt," Bakkerud said. "Everywhere else we're pretty even. I've absolutely got no complaints about the Honda engine.

"But it's going to be touch and go this year. The Honda is going to be quicker on some tracks where we have the longer straights and Mercedes is probably going to be a bit quicker where we have small tight corners and up and down hills. I'm not worried."

Team boss Trevor Carlin said last week he wouldn't be blaming their Mugen-Honda engines if they failed to retain title.

Carlin romped to the title last season with Alvaro Parente, despite the Portuguese driver not entering the first or last meetings of the season.

"Why panic? If we don't win the championship this year it won't be because of the engines," Carlin told autosport.com. "That might be one of the little factors, but it will be a bit of us, a bit of driver.

"But I believe we can win it. I would not be doing it if I didn't think we could."

Carlin revealed however that Mercedes' introduction into the championship has indirectly hurt his business this season.

He added: "We finished 1-2 in the championship last year, we won almost all the races so we would normally be the first port of call for every driver out there, and we would be able to charge the right budget and have four top line drivers but because of the Mercedes-Benz situation I haven't been able to.

"I did approach them and ask for engines but I think politically they didn't want to give them to us, so they said they had already done their allocation. But we are also very loyal, with staff, suppliers, Dallara-Mugen, so I would like to carry on working with those people who have been good to us."