If Sebastian Vettel enjoys bullet-proof reliability this season, then the title is all but over for Mercedes, according to the team's non-executive chairman and three-time champion Niki Lauda.
Ferrari's Vettel has yet to finish lower than second, having won three races this season so far, giving him a 25-point advantage – equal to a race win – after just six races.
Meanwhile his nearest rival Lewis Hamilton struggled last time out in Monaco, finishing just seventh, whilst he also finished off the podium in Russia.
Although Hamilton hasn't suffered any failures – unlike team-mate Valtteri Bottas who had an engine failure in Spain – Mercedes has struggled to get its tyres working, which hasn't been an issue for Ferrari.
"We need to find a solution for the tyre window," Lauda told Kronen Zeitung, before adding that Mercedes need Vettel to hit problems, otherwise the title fight is effectively over.
"One thing is clear: Vettel needs a failure at least once [this season], otherwise it's over [for Mercedes]," he said.
"The red cars have real momentum going – if this continues, the gap will become enormous – it's alarming."
