Mercedes chief Lowe wary of Ferrari threat

Formula One's dominant force for the past two seasons, Mercedes head into next month's season-opening Australian Grand Prix having claimed back-to-back titles in the constructors' and drivers' championship - the latter successes courtesy of Lewis Hamilton.

Lowe acknowledged Mercedes were being kept on their toes by their Italian rivals, telling Sky Sports News: "We see Ferrari as our main threat and it remains to be seen how we position ourselves in the weeks to come.

Mercedes technical director Paddy Lowe believes the team's stiffest competition will once again come from Ferrari in 2016.

Formula One's dominant force for the past two seasons, Mercedes head into next month's season-opening Australian Grand Prix having claimed back-to-back titles in the constructors' and drivers' championship - the latter successes courtesy of Lewis Hamilton.

Ferrari demonstrated improvement in 2015 to finish second - albeit by some distance - in the constructors' standings, with Sebastian Vettel claiming three race wins.

And Lowe acknowledged Mercedes were being kept on their toes by their Italian rivals, telling Sky Sports News : "We see Ferrari as our main threat and it remains to be seen how we position ourselves in the weeks to come.

"Ferrari are a very strong competitor and one we worry about.

"It keeps us motivated to keep us pushing all the time."

Mercedes are set to formally unveil their 2016 car next week, but both Hamilton and team-mate Nico Rosberg enjoyed brief stints in the new W07 during a shakedown event at Silverstone on Friday.