Publications
• Wolff says Ferrari is hiding their true pace
• Ferrari does not believe their car will be competitive - initially
• Honda and Renault's engines should not be discounted
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Ferrari didn't show their true pace during their recent testing. Unlike in previous years, Ferrari failed to shine during pre-season testing.
Initially, the Scuderia put that down to focusing on the long game rather than the winter testing championships. However, as time went on, murmurs began suggesting that Ferrari's 2020 car, the SF1000, is not up to scratch. Ferrari later admitted just that with team boss Mattia Binotto saying he is worried about how the team will perform in the early races.
Those early races have been on hold as the start of the 2020 season was stopped short in its tracks back in March. Instead, the championship will begin next month with a double-header at the Austrian Grand Prix.
True pace
Mercedes motorsport boss Wolff reckons that's when F1 will truly see Ferrari's pace.
Wolff told Motorsport-Total.com: "The Ferrari engine was very strong last season, and I think we haven't yet seen the true power of the Ferrari engine in winter testing. Only in qualifying [in Austria] will we finally be able to see where everyone stands, but as always, I'm very pessimistic.
"On our side, we need to close the gap with Ferrari and make sure we have a reliable and solid power unit."
READ: Former team mate believes six years at Ferrari 'wore Vettel out'
Ferrari, though, isn't Mercedes' only competition.
Wolff added: "Nor should we exclude Honda and Renault, because the level seems to be fairly uniform."
