Ferrari tester says Mercedes is 2015 ’favourite’

Ferrari tester Marc Gene has acknowledged that Mercedes remains the favourite for the 2015 season.

After Jerez, where the formerly struggling Maranello team surprised the F1 world with its headline test times, many predicted Ferrari might be in a position to challenge the ultra-dominant 2014 champions Mercedes this year.

Also vastly improved at Jerez was the Ferrari customer Sauber, amid rumours designers at Maranello have found between 40 and 80 horse power over the winter period.

Ferrari tester Gene, however, told the Spanish daily Marca: "Winning races is not what we expect this year. That would be a very pleasant surprise.

"The car is better, that was the goal, but the favourite is Mercedes."