Mercedes tip Haas as F1 dark horses

Haas could be a surprise contender for dark horses in Formula 1 in 2018, according to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. The American-based outfit delivered impressive headline pace during pre-season testing in Barcelona and Wolff believes they could lead a clutch of teams looking to make strides.

Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean were both in the top 10 for lap times in pre-season, with Magnussen going quicker than both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Haas have finished eighth in both of their F1 campaigns to date, although they accumulated 18 more points in 2017, as well as securing a maiden double points finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.

With stable regulations this season, teams further down the grid are expected to improve, with the likes of McLaren and Renault perhaps eyeing challenges with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

But Wolff praised the work being done at the Ferrari-powered Haas team, who he tipped to turn heads this year.

"In our statistical data they looked pretty quick, but then again if someone is 20kg lighter, it's eight tenths difference," Wolff told F1's official website.

"I very much hope they are there. They deserve it. [Team owner] Gene [Haas] has taken some risks. He's a true entrepreneur.

"Crazy Guenther [Steiner] is giving it all. He's a good operator. He knows what he's doing.

"There is also Renault which will make a step forward and McLaren.

"Williams has been looking good on the long runs. So I think there are a lot of teams who are just behind the top three that could be a surprise."