Mercedes boss wants ‘real battle’ with Ferrari

Daimler chairman and head of Mercedes Dieter Zetsche says he wants to see “a real battle” between his team and Ferrari in 2016.

Mercedes has been the clear benchmark in the latest turbo era, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg racking up 32 race wins out of 38 grand prix weekends and helping the German constructor to four world titles since 2014.

However, Ferrari emerged as a genuine threat last year riding on the back of a rejuvenated Sebastian Vettel and much improved power unit. Maranello boss Sergio Marchionne has already set higher goals for the Scuderia this year, recently challenging it to be “the team to beat” in Melbourne’s curtain raiser.

Asked by Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport whether he was nervous about Ferrari’s ambitions, Zetsche replied:

“I wouldn’t say worried, but it’s true that I would like to see a real battle between us and Ferrari for the title, with us on top. A battle between the two teams would be great for F1.”

The Mercedes president adds that, despite their conflicted interests, he and Marchionne enjoy a sound personal relationship.

“We’ve been friends for a long time. We respect each other and we get along. Sometimes we are on opposing sides, but we are always able to reach a solution. It’s important when you are part of the same business, to have someone you can consider a friend on the other side.”

F1 commercial rights chief Bernie Ecclestone repeatedly warned over the winter that Ferrari and Mercedes’ duopoly could end up destroying the sport altogether, and even hinted at a possible entente between the two giants on the engine front.