Jenson Button has acknowledged that Mercedes are now genuine title contenders in the wake of Nico Rosberg's lights-to-flag victory in China last week.
'They'll be quick in Bahrain' predicts Jenson
Jenson Button has acknowledged that Mercedes are now genuine title contenders in the wake of Nico Rosberg's lights-to-flag win in China last week.
The victory was the first secured by Mercedes since they re-entered the sport three years ago, buying out the Brawn outfit that had just catapulted Button to a World Championship. Many of the personnel who assisted Button's triumph remain at the Brackley-based team, leaving Button in no doubt that they have the wherewithal and - after last week's stunning maiden victory for Rosberg - the pace to challenge for this year's championship.
"I spent a lot of years with that team - most of my career was with that team - so I am very happy for them they've achieved a grand prix victory this year," Button told the Press Association.
"There's a great bunch of people there, and people that went back to the team as well that I used to work with, like Geoff Willis, so that does obviously pose a threat to us in the championship."
Having excelled in the cooler conditions of China, Bahrain's searing heat is expected to dilute Mercedes' competitiveness this weekend. Yet Button doesn't foresee the team falling away from the leading pack having displayed such blistering pace - particularly on Saturday - last weekend at Shanghai.
"They'll be quick. In qualifying pace they are phenomenal, and they have been all year.
"The first time Nico got it together in qualifying was in China, so they are going to definitely be competitive, and it's great to see that they are.
"As I say, I'm happy for them, but that's done now and we're fighting."
