Toto Wolff had to admit Max Verstappen is "just on a different level" to his Formula 1 peers as he paid tribute to the job done by his team's rivals Red Bull.
Verstappen tops the drivers' standings so far this season and looks to be dead on course for a third-straight F1 title success. And his Red Bull team will take some stopping as they romp towards the constructors' championship crown once again.
Mercedes know a thing or two about what it takes to launch a dynasty, having won eight in a row between 2014 and 2021. But memories of that run are fading these days with the Silver Arrows no longer as competitive as they would like.
Despite upgrades over the last couple of race weekends, Wolff says he still "simply doesn't know" how far away his team is from Red Bull. And he also said Verstappen is a cut above everyone else on the grid – even if he did admit that it pained him to do so.
The Austrian said: "I think Verstappen is just on a different level. It p***** me off to say that but that is the reality. There is a meritocracy, they've just done the best job, the driver is driving excellent and they are just far away. And that is something which only we have in our hands to get under control."
Wolff is not the only man who has been frustrated with his team's situation. Lewis Hamilton has not tried to hide his frustration with the car he has been given this year and has provided some scathing criticism of the W14 at times.
But, speaking after qualifying in Spain on Saturday, the Brit seemed much more upbeat about the car now it has had a few upgrades fitted. He said: "I'm absolutely shocked. A real surprise to see us so far up front and competing, ultimately, for the front row.
"We did some great work overnight with the analysis and I was here until 11pm last night trying to figure out where we can find the time. I knew when I woke up this morning I was one a mission but I definitely didn't expect us to be fighting for the front row. The car really came alive today.
"A big thank you to everyone back at the factory because it's showing that we are progressing which I'm so grateful to see. And I really enjoyed driving the car today. It was front row all the way to turn 10 but when I got on the power there was a snap of oversteer and that's where I lost two tenths. But I'm more encouraged to see the car where it is and hopefully we can progress forwards."
