DC doubts Mercedes can take ‘massive step forward’

Sainz at risk of 'supporting role' for Leclerc

Haas fall back after early season form

Alonso still racing at the 'very highest level'

No significant upgrades coming from Mercedes' side

Is it time for Vettel to retire?

Leclerc warns Ferrari not to ‘overdo it’

Complex cause of Max’s latest retirement

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FIA defend the speed of the Safety Car

Coulthard has doubts about a Mercedes fight-back

David Coulthard is sceptical whether Mercedes can make the strides they need with the W13 to challenge Ferrari and Red Bull this season.

Although Mercedes, who have won the Constructors’ Championship for the past eight years, sit second in the current title race, it is only because of Red Bull’s unreliability so far.

In terms of pace, it has been Ferrari just ahead of Red Bull. The Scuderia, with two victories for Charles Leclerc, are 39 points clear of Mercedes, with another 10 back to Red Bull whose cars have achieved only three race finishes from a possible six.

Mercedes have failed to ‘ace’ the much-changed regulations having created a ‘porpoising’ car, while there have also been suggestions their engine is not the force it was because their customer teams are also less competitive than might have been expected with the different E10 fuel.

Of course, when the rules have been rewritten previously, the pecking order has changed over the evolution of a season – notably when Brawn, the forerunner of Mercedes, won six of the first seven races in 2009 before their rivals could match them for pace, and by that point the titles were as good as in the bag.

However, Coulthard does not see Mercedes making the big leap required to transform their fortunes between now and the end of the campaign in November – especially