And yet Mercedes, once again, appear primed to ride roughshod over new-season hopes for a changing of the guard. German Rosberg thwarted Hamilton's bid for a third successive title and the pair's heated rivalry took its toll on both drivers. "I think he's one of those guys who is not going to be that difficult to manage, especially in the battle with Lewis," Rosberg said of former Williams driver Bottas in a video posting for Formula One sponsor UBS. "I don't know if he will be able to challenge Lewis or even beat Lewis. "I think Ferrari are bluffing and that they are a lot quicker than they are showing," Hamilton said at testing in Barcelona.

Source: The Star March 22, 2017 09:56 UTC