The 2016 Formula One World Championship is shaping up for a gargantuan battle between Mercedes and Ferrari at the front of the grid.
Ferrari have taken a large step forward during the winter and appear to have closed to the gap to Mercedes on pace.
The Silver Arrows however hold wonderful reliability any may well be able to push their car closer to the limit once the competitive action gets under way.
Behind them there appears to be a close midfield pack. Pace wise Force India and Williams with their Mercedes power look good.
Toro Rosso with last seasons Ferrari power-unit also showed well in Barcelona in testing, whilst Red Bull Racing and Renault were further behind on the timing sheets.
But nothing ever gets Australian Daniel Ricciardo down beat and he remains as positive as ever heading into the new season.
‘Mercedes are Ferrari are ahead on pure pace right now – it?s evident but also expected.
?If we raced in Monaco, we could have an outside chance of a podium, but here we?d need a little a bit of luck.? he told motorsport.com.
?I think the car is better than it was 12 months ago, so we should do better [than last year], but then again Williams and Force India have also improved a chunk.
?The battle for fifth will be pretty close, but all going well we can hopefully pull it off.?
Red Bull fighting to be ‘best of the rest’
