Ahead of the French GP, Valtteri Bottas believes Mercedes loss to Ferrari in Canada means the team no longer heads to every race as the favourite.

A quality issue with an upgrade meant all six Mercedes-powered cars on the grid had to use the same engine which had completed the first six races on the long straights of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

In the battle at the front, that was much of the reason for Sebastian Vettel being able to take a comfortable victory in Montreal with Bottas second and Lewis Hamilton fifth, following an additional cooling problem.

However, this weekend at Paul Ricard, circumstances may swing back in the German manufacturer's favour.

“It’s different Grand Prix, different kind of tyres and it’s positive we’re going to have the new engine, which we would have needed [in Canada] to win the race,” the Finn told Sky Sports.

“Hopefully we can have some other upgrades as well on the car because every team is developing now race by race and the competition is getting tougher."

Also Read:

• Wolff considers Montreal defeat a "major wake-up call" for Mercedes
• Hamilton still confident of F1 title hopes despite Montreal dip

It was the defeat on a circuit which Mercedes has dominated during the hybrid era that has Bottas measuring expectations.

“We went [to Canada] knowing that in theory, it would be a good track for us," he began.

“We came with even the old engine thinking there’s a very good chance we were going to be fighting for the win. But it wasn’t the case and it shows how tough the development race is now and we need to keep improving.

“We are definitely not the favourites for the French Grand Prix, that’s a fact.”