Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described Ferrari’s straight-line speed in Bahrain as “unbelievable”, reckoning the Maranello-based outfit holds a substantial advantage.
Mercedes picked up its second successive 1-2 of the 2019 season but did so only in the wake of a suspected cylinder failure for the previously dominant Charles Leclerc.
The race was the only time all weekend where Mercedes was on top, with Ferrari having taken a 1-2 in all three practice sessions, as well as in qualifying.
“We expected them to be strong in Melbourne after what we’ve seen in terms of pace in Barcelona testing,” said Wolff on Ferrari.
“So Melbourne was more the surprise than actually Bahrain. Bahrain was very strong. Straight line performance is unbelievable. The power they have displayed is unmatched by anybody.
“There was, I think in qualifying five tenths on the straights only. That is really difficult to compete with.
“So we have to get used to this level of performance in my opinion and see Melbourne as the outlier.”
Wolff added that “sheer power” is behind Ferrari’s advantage as opposed to any set-up differences or levels of drag.
“It’s never one silver bullet or one simple action,” he commented. “But the drag levels we have calculated would have been a tenth maybe in difference. It’s sheer power. And this is the analysis of the 24 hours.
“But obviously lots of data collected. We have seen different power levels in the race also between the cars. So that needs to be digested now.
“[But] I would say if they are able to hold the power on the level – and I don’t know what made the engine fail — but if they are able to maintain those power levels in Shanghai on a power sensitive circuit like Shanghai, they are the favourites, clearly. Because the lap time benefit might even be more than in Bahrain.”
