Toto Wolff admits that Mercedes will need a huge pace advantage over Ferrari if they are to beat Charles Leclerc during Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix.
The Monegasque has won the last two races, in Italy and Belgium, but was expected to struggle with the twisty nature of the Marina Bay Circuit.
However, Ferrari proved the doubters wrong as they qualified first and third, sandwiching Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
The Silver Arrows boss said yesterday: "I think it's more difficult here, it's a little bit like Monaco, maybe not as bad, where it's really difficult to overtake – especially when they are fast down the straight – unless the pace difference is enormous.
"We don't expect that [pace difference]. Nevertheless we're going into the race tomorrow full steam ahead. The points are being awarded tomorrow, not today."