Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has conceded that Lewis Hamilton is "probably" the best driver in the sport at the moment and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg accepts that he is the benchmark.
The Briton, a three-time world champion, currently has a 19 point advantage over Rosberg in the championship standings, having closed a 43-point deficit in just seven races.
That is a testament to Hamilton's talent according to Wolff and he admits that Rosberg accepts that his team-mate is the standard he must beat if he's to win this season.
"Right now Nico is paired with Lewis who is probably the best driver in F1 at the moment – and yes, that is a tough challenge. That is a benchmark – and he accepts that," he told the official F1 website.
Wolff does however believe Rosberg has the mental ability to fight back after the summer break following his recent defeats.
"No doubt! We are half way through the 2016 season and only nineteen points separate both," he added. "That’s less than one race win – and Nico is superb in qualifying."
With Hamilton and Rosberg first and second in the standings and a 159-point lead in the Constructors' Championship, Wolff isn't yet ready to celebrate a third consecutive championship double until the math says it's so.
"We are sceptical people and believe that you haven’t won until it is mathematically over," he said. "Not one single day earlier.
"I am not aware that we have received the trophy for the constructors’ title yet – so we will come back nine more times [this season to compete]."
