Lauda: Williams to challenge Mercedes in 2015

Niki Lauda is not expecting Mercedes to utterly dominate in 2015.

While rival teams say the German camp has kept its 2014-like advantage over the winter, Mercedes team chairman Lauda told the German broadcaster RTL that Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be joined in their battle for this year's title.

"After the tests," the F1 legend said, "I see the greatest challengers as the Williams team.

"Valtteri Bottas is the biggest talent among the young drivers, but one should never underestimate Felipe Massa, who can be in front on a good day.

"Behind Williams, Ferrari and Red Bull are playing in about the same league," Lauda added.

"With Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari has a very good team and they will fighting against each other.

"Red Bull's top driver is clearly Daniel Ricciardo," Lauda said, "as I do not expect too much from Daniil Kvyat."

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Leopold

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

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