Former boss says Mercedes still favourite for 2015

Former Mercedes motorsport chief Norbert Haug doubts that Silver Arrows rivals have been able to close down the German giant's advantage ahead of the 2015 season.

At the opening pre-season test at Jerez, it was Ferrari who surprisingly set the headline times.

But Haug, the former head of Mercedes motor sport, said: "There are no points for testing."

"If there was, we would have seen a completely different game," he is quoted by Germany's Sky.

"I think Ferrari has taken a step," Haug agreed, "but I believe that the gap Mercedes had (in 2014) means they are clearly once again the favourite."