Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has made it clear his team will 'have a fight on their hands' ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season.
Throughout pre-season testing, their nearest rivals Ferrari appeared to be more comfortable, faster package on track, while Mercedes kept their powder dry and racked up the mileage.
The Silver Arrows introduced a raft of updates in the second test and soon began to increase their pace. By the end of the test, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton’s best times were split by just 0.003s.
Neither team has accepted the other is ahead going into the Australian Grand Prix. Wolff believes the 2019 season will be defined by a battle of who adapts and develops the best under the new regulations.
"Last year, we had to give it absolutely everything to come out on top," said Wolff. "From what we have learned so far, this year will be even tougher.
"It will push us to our limits – and that's an exciting prospect for every single one of us.
"Judging from the performance in Barcelona, it looks like we will have a proper fight on our hands in Melbourne. But an F1 season is not just about who comes out of the blocks quickest; under new regulations like we have this year.
"It is about who is able to adapt best to the new rules and the new tyres and all the challenges that we will have to master during the year.
"The most adaptable and agile team will come out on top this season. We have shown in the past that we are fast and flexible and that we can handle every curveball thrown at us.
"We're ready for the fight and look forward to the crazy rollercoaster of a new F1 season."
