Lauda: 'The Ferrari looks the fastest!'

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Niki Lauda agrees with Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas that Ferrari's relative performance in pre-season testing has been impressive.

The F1 legend and non executive chairman of Mercedes was on site yesterday at the Circuit de Catalunya, a keen observer of the cars out on the track.

While it was an unsatisfactory end of the session for Ferrari, with Kimi Raikkonen hitting the barriers at Turn 3, the SF70H's speed and attitude did not escape Lauda's notice.

"The Ferrari looks the fastest," he told Auto Motor und Sport.

"It is like on rails. Our Mercedes is a little tighter in the corners. Ferrari is at the top of my list," Lauda insisted.

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As for Red Bull Racing, Lauda agreed that the Milton-Keynes outfit is yet to show its true potential.

"So far, they are not the big surprise," said the Austrian.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.