Valtteri Bottas has reiterated his position that Mercedes face a "tough season" of competition from Ferrari and Red Bull despite the pace shown in Australia.

A dominant pole position and a comfortable lead for teammate Lewis Hamilton indicated a strong performance advantage for the Brackley-based team over its rivals at the start of the new season.

However, a Virtual Safety Car would allow Sebastian Vettel to pit and emerge ahead of the Briton taking the win, while a crash for Bottas in qualifying left him fighting through from 15th on the grid, eventually finishing eighth.

"It seems very close. Ferrari obviously won, they were first and third, but they also won here last year," the Finn said.

"I think it’s going to be a close season. We’re not miles ahead. I think Lewis really got everything right in Q3, maybe the other teams' drivers didn’t get everything perfect.

"So I think it’s going to be a big battle and it’s going to be a tough season."

Bottas also doubts the ease with which Hamilton was leading the two Ferraris before the mid-race switch was as comfortable as it appeared.

"I think that this year, the cars have more downforce, and with the way the aerodynamics work in the cars, it’s even more difficult to follow than last year, so the losses are bigger," he claimed.