Daniel Ricciardo’s three race wins last year is proof that Mercedes can be beaten according to his former team-mate Sebastian Vettel, which gives the German hope.
Vettel will make his first start for Ferrari this weekend after leaving Red Bull and reckons if he can put himself in a strong position, then he can benefit from any Mercedes mishaps.
Though he admitted it would depend on how much of a step forward the Italian team has made over the winter period.
“It depends on the form of the other team as well,” he said on Thursday. “We have made a step, we are yet to find out how big the step is. Then it depends.
“We saw last year there is a chance to win races, not just for Mercedes, so if you put yourself in a strong position, probably at the start of the season [stay] right behind, if something happens, you are there.
“I’m sure that’s not what they want but this is something that can happen to all of the drivers, all of the teams.”
The four-time champion is teaming up with good friend Kimi Raikkonen for the first time and when he was asked about potential rifts coming between them, he dismissed such concerns.
“I’ve known Kimi for a while now and we respect each other. He’s very straightforward, honest, which I appreciate a lot. I think we try to beat each other on the track and if there are issues I think we are old enough to talk about it and sort it out.”
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