Briatore sees Mercedes "on another planet" compared to Ferrari

Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore thinks Mercedes have been on "another planet" this season, as the German team have started the season with a historic five consecutive one-two's in 2019.

Heading into the season, Ferrari were widely believed to have the strongest package on the grid, but the Scuderia have yet to climb the top step of the podium this season, although Charles Leclerc came extremely close in Bahrain before having a dramatic engine failure.

Mercedes already hold a 96-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors' championship, with Max Verstappen even in third place for Red Bull in the drivers' championship.

"Ferrari are fighting Red Bull, who have a Honda engine, Mercedes are on another planet!" Briatore communicated on his Instagram account.

"This [Barcelona] is a circuit that tells the truth, if you go wrong here you can't compete for the world championship.