Many are sceptical about suggestions Mercedes is going to start the 2021 Formula 1 season on the back foot.
They cite the similar talk ahead of the 2019 F1 opener, and how Mercedes went on to then win the first eight grands prix of the season and dominate yet another championship.
So is 2021 going to be more of the same, or is this year a totally different scenario and one in which Mercedes’ troubled test really will prompt a multi-team title fight?
We look at the evidence in our video guides to Mercedes’ testing troubles present and past.
