'Ferrari still a threat for 2017', says Toto Wolff

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will not discard Ferrari this season despite the Italian outfit's underperformance last year.

The Scuderia ended the 2016 season in a winless state, beaten by Mercedes obviously but also by its direct rival Red Bull.

This year's major regulation overhaul will theoretically level the playing field, at least at the outset, and given its formidable resources Ferrari must always be considered a contender insists Wolff.

"In 2012 and 2013, Mercedes were not the favorites, then with the regulatory change we became successful," Wolff said in an interview with Italy's Gazetto dello Sport.

"It could happen to Ferrari. It has the potential and resources to go back to being competitive."

Key dates for the 2017 F1 season

Ferrari President Sergio Marchionne stepped up the pressure on the team last year following the departure of tech boss James Allison.

The powerful Italian manager favoured promoting an insider - Mattia Binotto - rather than poaching a star engineer from another outfit.

While Marchionne has come under fire for his decisions and the pressure applied from within, Wolff perfectly understands the rationale behind Ferrari's thinking.

"They focused on being an Italian team. For me, that is an added value, not a restraint. Ferrari does not need mercenaries.

" I am convinced that the decisions taken by Marchionne and team principal Maurizio Arrivabene are moving Ferrari in the right direction."

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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.