Mercedes heads into next weekend’s season opening Australian grand prix as the overwhelming early 2014 favourite.

“Mercedes and Williams look very strong,” agreed German driver Nico Hulkenberg, whose similarly Mercedes-powered Force India team has also impressed in winter testing.

“They’re standing out. McLaren is also fast,” he told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “At the moment, the Mercedes teams are a bit in front.”

Mercedes’ three customer teams – McLaren, Williams and Force India – appear to have hit the jackpot with clearly the best turbo V6 ‘power unit’ in F1’s new greener era.

“At the moment that’s right,” Hulkenberg admitted, “but we all know how long a Formula One season is. Let’s wait and see.

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