Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned his team to expect a response from their championship rivals at next weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, despite an imperious start to the season for the German manufacturer.
The Silver Arrows have a commanding lead in the constructors' standings after winning every grand prix to date in 2014, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg ahead in the drivers' rankings as well.
However, Wolff is hoping that the new upgrades that will be introduced to their car in Barcelona will cancel out any gains made by their competitors.
He told reporters: "We are now four races into the 2014 season and hold a strong position in both championships. However, the first European round of the year always provides a prime opportunity for teams to arrive with improvements to their cars.
"We have seen already that our rivals are relentless in their efforts to close the gap. As a team, it is up to us to rise to that challenge - to take that relentless mentality to an even greater extent than those around us.
"If we are to build a sustained level of success in this sport, any small advantage must be seen as a platform upon which to build a bigger advantage."
Mercedes currently have 154 points, leading second-placed Red Bull in the constructors' standings by 97 points.
