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Mercedes taking Ferrari title threat seriously ahead of Chinese GP

World champions bringing W06 upgrades to Shanghai after Sepang defeat; Lewis Hamilton aiming for record-extending fourth China win

Lewis Hamilton celebrates with Sebastian Vettel as Nico Rosberg watches on

Mercedes admit they now have to raise their performance to new levels with the team convinced that Ferrari’s surprise victory in Malaysia means they now have “serious competition” for the 2015 world title.

Having had chance to reflect on their first race-day defeat since last August, Mercedes have declared that they need to have “a car which performs at all circuits and in all conditions” after the world champions were outperformed in the sweltering hot conditions of Sepang by their Italian rivals.

Sebastian Vettel’s win arguably represented the first time Mercedes had been beaten in a straight fight since the advent of F1’s turbo regulations at the start of 2014 and all eyes are now on Shanghai this weekend to see if Ferrari’s renaissance can be sustained.

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Toto Wolff says Mercedes have spent the past week analysing their performance in Malaysia and are more aware than ever that they have a greater challenge on their hands this season.

More from Chinese Gp 2015

“We left Malaysia with plenty to think about. It may have been a good result for the sport – but for us, it was a wake-up call,” the executive director admitted. “This is something you cannot afford to happen often and, although we had two cars on the podium, we have been looking very carefully at every area where we could have performed better.

“Our opposition has raised its game and we must now raise ours even further; as we have said since Melbourne, we expect a season-long battle for both World Championships and we must maximise every opportunity.”

Although Mercedes retain early leads in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, Paddy Lowe revealed the W06 will feature a number of upgrades in China.

Lewis Hamilton’s Chinese GP record

2007: Qualified – Pole; Finished – DNF
2008 – Qualified: Pole; Finished – 1st
2009 – Qualified: 9th; Finished – 6th
2010 – Qualified – 6th; Finished – 2nd
2011 – Qualified – 3rd; Finished – 1st
2012: Qualified – 7th; Finished – 3rd
2013: Qualified – Pole; Finished – 3rd
2014: Qualified – Pole; Finished – 1st

“It is now clearer than ever that there is serious competition for this World Championship, so we will continue to work flat out for performance gains,” he said.

“We have a range of new aerodynamic developments for Shanghai and are targeting an improved performance from Malaysia.”

Encouragement for Mercedes comes in the fact that the team boasts a strong recent record at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton having claimed victory in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Air temperatures are set to be over 10 degrees colder in Shanghai than was the case at Sepang and Lowe is intrigued to see how this affects the balance of power at the front of the grid.

“China presents a different challenge. Temperatures can vary dramatically year-on-year, but are generally quite low,” he added.

“It's also a front-limited circuit – the opposite of Sepang – with a good mix of corners and a long straight, so it will be interesting to see how the different cars perform at yet another circuit characteristic for this new season.”

Championship leader Hamilton, meanwhile, is aiming to extend a record which has seen him win in China three times – more than any other driver in the race’s 11-year history.

“The circuit itself is a different challenge to Albert Park and Sepang – but it's one I really enjoy and it suits my driving style quite well,” said the 2008, 2011 and 2014 race victor.

“I won the race last year and have only finished outside of the podium places twice, so the target is definitely to build on that and get back to the front.”

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