Mercedes Anticipating a Close Race in Shanghai

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does not expect to drive away at the front to repeat Nico Rosberg's victory last year, although it would be nice. The new tires make the racing too unpredictable to guarantee victory, but Mercedes claims that it is the second-best team on the grid behind .

"One year on from Nico's win, a lot of people will be asking whether this is something our team can repeat in 2013. But like they say, yesterday's home runs don't win today's games, and that's definitely true for us," said Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff.

Wolff also says the cars' development is playing a major role this year. With most of the teams being on such an even level, finding even small advantages pay big dividends.

"I think Mercedes were in a unique situation last year at the track and they got everything right. The tires are different this year so you have to anticipate that it's going to be a little bit different there for us.

"Walking off into the distance is probably not going to be the case. If the car works well there and we get a similar result there it'll be amazing," said Lewis Hamilton.

With only two races into the 2013 calendar, it has been an odd season for Mercedes. They struggled in the first race with Hamilton finishing fifth and Rosberg retired, they but finished second and third in Malaysia.

The Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai will be held on April 14, and Vettel enters the race with a seven-point advantage in the drivers' championship ahead of Kimi Raikkonen. 

Source: Autosport