Mercedes: Development is the biggest race

Development always plays a key role in any Formula One season, but when two teams are as closely matched as Mercedes and Ferrari are this year, the need to develop is greater than ever.

Only ten points separate the two ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix in just over two weeks’ time in what could be the closest battle for the Constructors’ Championship since the titanic 2007 battle between Ferrari and McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton, who took part in the 2007 battle with McLaren has repeatedly said that he believes Ferrari have the quicker race car, despite winning five of the last nine races.

Now James Allison, Mercedes’ technical director has revealed that he believes if his team can get one up on Ferrari in the development race, then they can win the title.

"None of it is set in stone; the development race over the remainder of the season, who stays strong, who doesn't make mistakes, who can keep their chin up the longest, all the clichés you want to roll out, that is actually what is going to determine this utterly compelling and brilliant year.

"None of us know, none of our opposition know who it's going to favour and that's what makes it so exciting.

"It's frightening too but that's what makes us look forward to this second part of the year, to see whether it can be us at the end of the year standing with smiles on our faces, knowing that we did a really good job in a season that put us to the test like no other."

Allison seems pretty confident that development is a bigger race than any other this season, who do you think will win?