Mercedes

Engine Mercedes Races 148 Wins 55 Titles 3 Last year 1st (765 points)

EVERYONE is wondering whether Nico Rosberg’s surprise retirement and the departure of technical director Paddy Lowe will wrongfoot the three-time constructors’ champion going into this season. But Mercedes’ trump card – its powerful and reliable engine – has been further improved and the Brackley, Northants-based team showed strong pace in testing, so it could well be business as usual. The story of the early races will be whether new recruit Valtteri Bottas can mount any sort of challenge to Lewis Hamilton, who’s keen to bounce back after losing the 2016 title to Rosberg.