Ecclestone has high expectations for Mercedes

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has high expectations for Mercedes in 2013, as the team now has Lewis Hamilton alongside Nico Rosberg in its line-up and a whole new senior management structure.

"I expect Mercedes to be much stronger. Lewis will be a contender, and if Mercedes are good then Nico [Rosberg] will also have a chance," Ecclestone told the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

"I would be disappointed if Mercedes wouldn't be high up there," he added.

A strong Mercedes team would see the balance of power at the top of Formula One widen, with Red Bull the team to beat, while Ferrari and McLaren continue as favourites, with Lotus and possibly Mercedes pretenders to the throne. (GP247)

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