Formula One: Mercedes has the edge, says Massa

Williams driver believes Australian GP is open for all big teams.

Williams driver Felipe Massa believes Mercedes have the edge going into next week’s Australian Grand Prix, the season’s first race, according to ESPN. However, he has not yet written off other big teams such as Red Bull and Lotus, who are also capable of showing their prowess.

Williams and Mercedes were ahead of the pack in the final pre-season testing in Bahrain, with Massa clocking the fastest time in the final week. Despite the results, he has called on Mercedes to be the most dominant force in the Grand Prix.

“Honestly, if you ask me which team is at the front, I think it’s Mercedes,” he said.

“But we’ll see. Now is the time to understand who is really at the front when we get to qualifying and everybody is on the same fuel and new tyres. Then you will understand where you are compared to the others.”

During testing, Renault-powered teams such as Red Bull and Lotus struggled for running, but regardless, Massa is not ruling out any of the challengers.

“You have so many other teams that will be there fighting. Maybe McLaren will be fighting, maybe Ferrari will be fighting and we don’t know where Red Bull will be because they didn’t run.

“They were always in the garage and you cannot say ‘forget Red Bull’. They know how to build a quick car and be competitive, and when they fix the problems they have, they are going to be there. It’s too early to say anything.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2014.

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