The worry lines at Red Bull eased temporarily on Friday, as Daniel Ricciardo had a better deal at the wheel of the troubled RB10.<\/p>\n
“A big improvement everywhere,” said the Australian driver in Bahrain, “and a much more optimistic outlook now I think.”<\/p>\n
The optimism, however, was short-lived, as the Renault-sponsored gremlins returned with a vengeance on the penultimate day of pre-season running in Bahrain.<\/p>\n
Sebastian Vettel hardly turned a lap all Saturday.<\/p>\n
But McLaren’s Jenson Button says he has sensed some pace from the reigning world champions.<\/p>\n
“When they do get reliability, if they do, they’ll be very competitive,” he said.<\/p>\n
Ten days into the winter, a clear pecking order is emerging, and Mercedes is right at the very top.<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton, however, is rejecting the favourite tag.<\/p>\n
“We have a strong package but I don’t feel we are guaranteed to be the guys ahead,” he said.<\/p>\n
But rival big-hitters Ferrari and McLaren are clearly not quite on the Brackley team’s pace.<\/p>\n
“We need more downforce,” Button conceded.\u00a0 And Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso admitted the new F14-T “could be better in both performance and reliability”.<\/p>\n
The situation is giving the other two Mercedes-powered teams, usual midfielders Williams and Force India, an opportunity to scoop up big points at the start of the season.<\/p>\n
“At this test the Mercedes is still as quick as it was, and the Williams too, but you also now have the Force India that is competitive,” said Button.<\/p>\n
Ousted McLaren driver Sergio Perez, now at Force India and quickest on both Thursday and Friday in Bahrain, said: “Right now everything seems possible.”<\/p>\n
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