Former team boss Paddy Lowe believes Mercedes start 2019 as favourites for another double championship success in Formula 1.
After a steady start to last season, the German manufacturer grew into the fight against Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari with their superior consistency proving the deciding factor in securing a fifth straight Constructors’ and Drivers’ crown.
This season could see Mercedes match the record of their Italian rivals with six consecutive Teams’ championships, but the current Williams technical chief admits there is a pitfall that must be avoided to achieve it.
“It’s always very difficult to maintain motivation to continue to win when you’ve already been doing it,” he told RaceFans. “I think that’s a problem we already faced when I was there before.”
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However, in the face of a continued threat from Ferrari and Red Bull potentially closing the gap, Lowe doesn’t think that’ll be an issue.
“I think they have the right approach to it so I think they’re going to be difficult to beat,” the Briton stated.
“We saw that last year. I think it was a competition between two teams and two drivers and the better ones won of each because you saw the cracks appearing eventually in the opposition.
“Mercedes is a great team. I know how good it is. It will be very difficult for anyone to beat them,” Lowe concluded.
