Mercedes believe Haas can spring a surprise in 2018

After showing impressive pace in testing, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff have backed Haas to have a breakout season in Formula One.

Haas have finished eighth in the Constructors’ championship in both of their seasons in F1, but showed good speed in Barcelona, regularly lapping near the top of the timesheets.

Haas have two drivers who have shown they are both capable of achieving podiums, with Romain Grosjean scoring ten during his time at Lotus and Kevin Magnussen claiming his solitary podium in Australia in 2015 for McLaren.

Wolff said: “In our statistical data they looked pretty quick, but then again if someone is 20 kilograms lighter, it’s eight tenths difference.

“I very much hope they are there. They deserve it.

“(Gene) Haas has taken some risks, he’s a true entrepreneur. Crazy Guenther (Steiner) is giving it all, he’s a good operator. He knows what he’s doing.”