Lauda: I have to say we are back!

Reigning F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton found the performance and form that he tasted briefly in qualifying for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix where he too started from pole. Since then Mercedes quali pace appeared to vanish, but on Saturday it came back with a vengeance.

Around the Circuit de Catalunya they were mighty again, with only Sebastian Vettel and maybe Kimi Raikkonen in striking range. The Red Bulls were seven tenths adrift of the world champions on the day.

Mercedes clearly found something or, as the conspiracy suggests, simply dialled in some extra horses which they have in reserve.

Whatever the case, Lauda was delighted, "I have to say we are back! Really, very good. Both cars couldn’t have done a better job."

"After four races, you develop things. This is the master race, whether you’re back on top or not. Thank God in qualifying we are."

"The race will be interesting. If you win here, you have a good cushion for the next couple of races so for me it’s important both Mercedes are there, but let’s wait and see," added Lauda who won the 1974 Spanish Grand Prix when it was held at Jarama.

It was the Silver Arrows' first front row lockout of the season and was watched from the team's pit garage by a typically enthusiastic Dieter Zetsche, the Daimler and Mercedes big boss.