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Multiple threats have Mercedes' eyes 'wide open'

Multiple threats have Mercedes' eyes 'wide open'

  • Published on 21 Feb 2015 09:10
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
A fascinating picture is beginning to emerge from winter testing, as multiple teams threaten to step up and challenge Mercedes. Until now, Ferrari has appeared surprisingly as the biggest threat to Mercedes' supreme dominance. "They could be our opponents this year," 2014 runner-up Nico Rosberg admitted on Friday, as he tested in Barcelona despite some neck and back problems. "We have our eyes wide open," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Rosberg played down the 'sore neck' story, despite having to share duties on Friday with his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is suffering from a bad cold. Rosberg said the issue arose when he began to test in a new driving position at Jerez. "I'm just being a bit cautious and decided to get out of the car at lunch today," explained the German, who will now rest on Saturday before returning to action for the last of the four-day action on Sunday.

Hamilton is also not feeling 100 per cent, but even that is not enough to explain a fascinating emerging picture of much more competitive rivals for 2015. Lotus has been quick, so too Williams and Sauber, while Red Bull took its new RB11 to the top of the timesheets on Friday with Daniel Ricciardo. "I know it's just testing," said the Australian, "but it is encouraging seeing us on top or at least in that front group."

Rosberg told reporters: "Our opponents have clearly improved, especially Ferrari, and the laptimes have really surprised us." New Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, however, is playing down the perception that the 2015 battle might be a case of silver versus red. "Mercedes has set the bar very, very high," he told Italy's Rai, "for all the other teams, and it's difficult to have closed that gap so quickly."

Williams' Felipe Massa agrees with that assessment. "Ferrari and Red Bull have done good laptimes," the Brazilian said on Friday, "but I still believe that the Mercedes is the best car. We are there too. But we will only really find out probably in Australia," Massa added. (GMM)
F1 News Felipe Massa Daniel Ricciardo Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Sebastian Vettel Williams Lotus F1 Ferrari Sauber Mercedes BAR

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Date
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
Albert Park
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Japan
Circuit Suzuka
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Shanghai International Circuit
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Miami International Autodrome
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Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
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Monte Carlo
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Gilles Villeneuve
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom
Silverstone
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Hungaroring
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Spa-Francorchamps
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Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
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Marina Bay Street Circuit
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United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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Brazil
Interlagos
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United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
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Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
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United Arab Emirates
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Date
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Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
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Monaco Monte Carlo
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Spain Circuit de Catalunya
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Hungary Hungaroring
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Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
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Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar Losail International Circuit
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United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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BR Felipe Massa -
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  • Weight 59 kg
  • Length 1.66 m
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