As he looks ahead to the season opener, thankfully Toto Wolff hasn't gone full underdog, but admits that his team faces its toughest challenge.

Though the German team has won 74 of the races held since the introduction of the hybrid formula in 2014, it is only in the last two seasons that we have seen a slight chink in the armour.

Certainly, there were times in 2018 when Ferrari clearly had the fastest car, but a combination of the Italian team's ability to self-destruct, not to mention Sebastian Vettel's own moments of madness, meant the Brackley-based outfit went on to claim its fifth successive titles.

This year could see the German team equal Ferrari's record of six successive titles, however, with an eye on pre-season testing, where the Maranello team clearly had the edge, Toto Wolff admits his team faces a stern challenge.

"It's finally time to go racing again," he says. "Everyone in Brackley and Brixworth has poured so much effort and commitment into this new car, so we're excited to finally see it compete on track in Melbourne.

"Last year, we had to give it absolutely everything to come out on top. From what we have learned so far, this year will be even tougher. It will push us to our limits - and that's an exciting prospect for every single one of us.

"Judging from the performance in Barcelona, it looks like we will have a proper fight on our hands in Melbourne," he admits. "But an F1 season is not just about who comes out of the blocks quickest; under new regulations like we have this year, it is about who is able to adapt best to the new rules and the new tyres and all the challenges that we will have to master during the year.

"The most adaptable and agile team will come out on top this season. We have shown in the past that we are fast and flexible and that we can handle every curveball thrown at us. We're ready for the fight and look forward to the crazy rollercoaster of a new F1 season."