Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes the arrival of Sergio Perez and a motivated Honda means Red Bull will be "much stronger" in 2021.

Last year, the Milton Keynes-based outfit finished 254 points behind the German manufacturer, as strong engine and chassis gains meant the W11 was way ahead of its rivals.

However, by the end of the year, that gap had reduced somewhat, and with Red Bull and Honda making changes for 2021, Wolff does predict a much more competitive season ahead.

"Definitely, I think Red Bull, with Perez, will be a much stronger opponent in terms of the Constructors' Championship," he told Austrian broadcaster ORF.

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"I reckon Sergio will be very strong. It will also be interesting to see how Perez holds up against [Max] Verstappen. It's a new opponent.

"Otherwise, it's a season with the same cars as last year. I think Honda will really step on the gas to compete for the championship in their last year as a manufacturer.

"That's why it will be quite interesting."

The Honda point is important as manufacturers were unable to bring upgrades to their power units last year, so can be expected to make big jumps for this year.

But the presence of Perez in the place of Alex Albon is more significant, with the Mexican eager to make his mark.

“It’s an opportunity that only comes once in my life, I have to make it work,” Perez, who finished fourth in last year's Drivers' standings, said on the Talking Bull podcast.

“I’m pretty sure it will work out and I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a pretty successful season, that’s the best way I can pay Mr [Dietrich] Mateschitz, Helmut [Marko], Christian [Horner], all of the trust they’ve given me.

“That’s the only way I can pay them back. Nobody before has given me the opportunity of being in a big team.

“I’m so much looking forward [to the year], I can’t wait for the season to start. I want to make sure that I push the team forward and give Mercedes a very hard time and hopefully beat them.

“It would be very nice in the last season of Honda to get them that Championship.”