'Ferrari no stronger in 2017 - just more of the same,' says Briatore

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Flamboyant pundit Flavio Briatore, who always has a handy metaphor or two up his sleeve, just compared Ferrari to an old Roman bakery using the same old dough.

The former Renault boss, whose claim to fame this year is attending Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, says it will be just more of the same for the Scuderia this season.

"The team is still the same," said Briatore.

"When you have the same oven and the same bakers, the quality of the bread is also the same. It seems to me that the only thing different is that (Sergio) Marchionne has made no statements."

Berger predicts more doom and gloom for Ferrari

Indeed, the Ferrari CEO has kept it under wraps so far, refraining from offering bold predictions which in the past only served to set everyone up for disappointment.

As for Briatore, his money is on Red Bull Racing emerging as Mercedes' main challenger, although the task of beating the Silver Arrows will be huge.

"Unfortunately, Mercedes' advantage is unbridgeable and they have a driver in (Lewis) Hamilton who last year had fun playing the DJ and skiing.

"But this year I think his attitude will be different," he told the Italian broadcaster Sky Sport 24.

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.