Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes it will be very difficult for Mercedes to turn around its fortunes against Red Bull whose RB16B is on "a different level".
Max Verstappen's recent run of three consecutive wins has delivered a comfortable advantage to team and driver in their respective championships.
Next week at Silverstone, Mercedes will bring the final updates to its W12 in a bid to bridge the gap with its rival.
But it might be too little too late for the Brackley squad which has lost its hegemonic edge over the field for the first time since the start of F1's hybrid era in 2014.
©Twitter/JPMontoya
"In my view it will be very difficult for Mercedes," commented Montoya, speaking to Motorsport.com.
"At this stage, Max and Red Bull have clearly gained momentum. Max is doing great, he’s there week in week out. I don’t really see how they are going to beat him.
"The only aspect that still speaks in favour of Mercedes is that they will get upgrades at Silverstone.
"Hopefully that step is big enough to get closer to Red Bull, but I honestly don’t think it will be enough. I don’t see how they can turn this around."
The seven-time Grand Prix winner who raced in F1 for Williams and McLaren, believes that Red Bull's RB16B package combined with Verstappen's talent is an almost unassailable adversary.
"It’s much easier to be completely in control when you have the fastest car and everything is falling your way," said Montoya, assessing Verstappen's impressive performances.
"Then it’s easier to keep a cool head, to execute flawlessly, in fact everything becomes easier.
“I don’t think it’s about Hamilton being under pressure. Lewis is still a great driver in my view, but Red Bull just have the faster car. Especially in the hands of Max, that Red Bull is on a different level.
"If you look at how things are going now, unless something special happens, you would assume Max should win this championship."
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