Sam Michael has said that McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari will continue to be the fastest teams in Formula 1 next year.
Red Bull and McLaren took seven race wins each in 2012, with Ferrari claiming three.
McLaren's sporting director told Autosport: "We'll be in the normal situation at the front with McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull. Then the rest of them I can't predict.
"The great thing about Formula 1 is that someone could always go out and do a stonking car, have a good driver in there and be part of the action.
"You've got to say Lotus are looking very good. You've got to expect Force India to return strong next year. And Mercedes, of course."
Red Bull sealed their third consecutive constructors' title, while Ferrari beat McLaren to second in the team standings.