Mercedes 'steamroller' will keep on rolling in 2018, says Brawn

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Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn believes Mercedes will sustain its momentum next season as the Silver Arrows squad only gets stronger.

The German manufacturer collected its fourth Constructor's title in 2017 and championship double as Lewis Hamilton clinched the drivers' crown.

While the Brackley crew faced a tough opposition from Ferrari, mainly in the first half of the season, Brawn fears Mercedes success will continue unabated in 2018.

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"They’ve got a great group of people, but my slight worry is that they will get even stronger now," he told ESPN.

"They’ve had a change of senior management – Paddy Lowe left and James Allison came – and that was in the middle of a car [regulation] change, which is not easy."

Mercedes only weakness this year was the temperamental nature of its W08 Silver Arrows which team boss Toto Wolff labeled a "diva" car.

But Brawn believes the outfit's 2018 charger likely won't suffer from its predecessor's relative flaws and imperfections.

"By their own admission, the car they had this year was a bit of a diva and I strongly suspect that’s not going to be the case next year.

"So I just see – unfortunately in many ways – a continuation of the steamroller. Let’s hope I’m wrong!"

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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.