BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Formula One returns to action this week with teams trying to catch up to Mercedes in preseason testing in Barcelona.
Cars will be on the track for the first time in 2016 beginning Monday at the Circuit de Catalunya, with everyone looking for ways to close the gap to Mercedes, the sport's dominant force the last two seasons.
Mercedes hasn't been seriously challenged since major rule changes were introduced in 2014, leaving opponents struggling to keep pace with defending champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
The four days of testing should provide a clue into whether teams have made any gains in their pursuit of Mercedes or if they will be fighting for second again.
Mercedes was able to get an early feel for its new car during a promotional event a few days ago, and based on Rosberg's first impressions, it's not good news for the rest of the grid.
''Here we go, what an awesome feeling, first lap with the new Silver Arrow,'' Rosberg said in a video released by the team. ''Flat-out down the stretch, eighth gear, it feels really quick already.''
Here are other things to watch ahead of the first preseason test session of 2016:
---
VETTEL'S CHALLENGE
Ferrari was the team that got closest to Mercedes last year, with four-time champion Sebastian Vettel the only driver to win races in addition to the Mercedes' duo. Vettel finished third in the standings and Ferrari was second in the constructors' championship.
''Naturally our goals are growing,'' Vettel said. ''We all want more and hopefully this car will help us achieve it. Very excited to get on track and see how it feels.''
The German driver said he could feel around the factory that the team is extra motivated to raise the bar and contend for the title.
''Everybody is fired up and we want to win, so the target is clear, the expectation is there,'' Vettel said. ''We will see how close we are and how much there is to do during the season.''
---
STEP FORWARD
Williams was third in the constructors' championship the last two seasons and is working to take a step forward in 2016. It only had four podium finishes last year.
Deputy team principal Claire Williams said the team is expected to be contending at the front this season.
''There will be a number of strong teams who have us in their sights,'' she said. ''We started design work on the car earlier than normal and hopefully this extra development time will stand us in good stead.''
---
BETTER FORTUNES?
McLaren and Red Bull are eager to get on the track again after a disappointing season last year. Red Bull couldn't manage better than a fourth-place finish in the constructors' championship, while McLaren was second-to-last after switching to Honda engines.
McLaren, which unveiled its new car on Sunday, is expected to show improvement compared to last year, although it's unlikely to be enough to allow the team to start contending for podiums or victories, which could mean another frustrating season for two-time world champion Fernando Alonso and one-time champion Jenson Button.
Red Bull has already warned that the team likely won't peak until the second half of the season.
''We put in a phenomenal effort through last year,'' said Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monoghan. ''Many skilled people put in a lot of dedicated hours, and we are judged relative to the front-running car. If that's us, fantastic, if it's not, we've got a lot of work to do.''
---
NEW FACES
Haas F1 will be making its Formula One debut in Barcelona this week, while Renault returns to the sport after taking over financially strapped Lotus.
Hass, the first American-led team in F1 since 1986, is launching its car on Sunday.
''Everything is new for us. It's not only a new car, but a new team,'' said team principal Guenther Steiner. ''In our first test of the season and first as a team, you try to make sure everything works as you designed it. You try to learn as much as possible about the car. You get the baseline on the car and you work off that baseline the rest of the year.''
Renault had relinquished team ownership after the 2009 season and had become an engine supplier.
''We know the road map and we have to deliver in the next three or so seasons,'' Renault racing director Frederic Vasseur said.
---
Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni
