2019 F1 Guide: More of the same for Mercedes

The Silver Arrows will be looking to start their new season off on the right foot, as they chase down their first Australian Grand Prix win since 2016.

The Champs tried two different concepts on the W10, arriving for the second test with a heavily revised car, immediately dubbed the W10-B as they contemplated the best solution for their package which by all accounts was niggly out-of-the-box.

However one can imagine little will hold back the team from clawing back what they need for the title defence, anytime it is required.

They start the season as my favourites by virtue of what we know what they are capable of, especially in the latter half of the season, a sustained campaign that tends to grow in strength while those around them wane. Much of the same expected this season.

Team Principal, Toto Wolff: He started his racing career as a driver, competing in Austria’s Formula Ford Championship before eventually making his way up to the FIA GT Championship – GT Racing’s former premier class.

Wolff joined the Formula 1 paddock initially with Williams as a shareholder and executive director in 2009. He joined Mercedes from 2013, helping them win five successive world titles both as a constructor and with their drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg between 2014 and 2018.

Valtteri Bottas.

The Austrian has been an astute boss, he wears his heart on his sleeve and runs a very open team, who provide their fans with archives of information after each outing. Managing Lewis is not a walk in the park, but at least he does not have to manage a feud as he did with Lewis and Nico. He might miss Niki at his side, but not enough to destabilise the team he has built.

The silver pit garage is a far less fractious place because the driver hierarchy is established with Valtteri the ordained wingman to Hamilton, very much as Rubens Barrichello was for Michael Schumacher.

Harmony prevails for now and should do so until Bottas finds a half second or so and start troubling his teammate. The dynamics will change fast after that. For now, Wolff has no worries on the driver front, each knows their place.

Occasionally, during his early days as team chief, Wolff shot himself in the foot but he has evolved into one of the best bosses on the pit wall with a true passion for racing and frankness that is endearing - who would not appreciate working for a boss like him?

However, it will be interesting to see how he handles a true challenge to Mercedes dominance and how he takes losing on a regular basis. For now, it is hard to see his team wilting, but if you believe the hype they are in for their toughest challenge this season.

Ferrari tend to ''win' the preseason, while Mercedes keep their powder dry for when it matters and that 'powder' is controlled by Wolff. I am of the school of belief that the Silver Arrows has more in reserve, and on tap, for when the team boss decides to press the 'MORE HP' button.

Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton: Who can beat the five-time F1 World Champion? A sixth world title beckons and it is hard to see anyone capable of stopping him at the nadir of his career. Typically Lewis can dig deeper than most and raise the benchmark each time he has to as he did in Singapore qualifying next year.

He will be hard to beat and if keeps up the momentum, doing what he does best out on track a sixth title will surely be his and as well as a bag full of victories as he edges towards becoming the most successful F1 driver of all time.

Valtteri Bottas: The Finn has to step up or find work elsewhere next season. He has to beat his teammate on a regular basis or at least run him close. Another season such as last year and that's it for the likeable guy, with eager Esteban Ocon bouncing about in the background which in other words means he has to deliver for the Champs.

Delivering means winning races when Hamilton does not, and on occasions beating the #44 car. AKA shape up or you will be shipped out.

It is not hard to imagine that if Bottas does not get his act together and fumbles once too often in the early races (as Max Verstappen was last year) Merc will replace him with Ocon for the second half of the season.