Berlin: Fernando Alonso may have singled out Michael Schumacher as a big Formula One title rival this season but McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was having none of that after calling his own team's new car a "masterpiece" on Friday.
Speaking after a public launch in the centre of the German capital, Schumacher's backyard, the 26-year-old Briton played down the chances of the country's most successful driver chalking up a record eighth championship.
"I won't say what I think," Hamilton told Reuters when asked about his Mercedes rival's prospects and Ferrari driver Alonso's viewpoint. He then gave an insight anyway.
"He's a seven-times world champion so you have to assume he will be at his best this year if he wants to be, and if his car and his team have done a good job.
"Personally I don't think it's going to be much different to the previous season but he can easily prove us wrong," added Hamilton.
Schumacher, now 42, made a disappointing comeback last season after three years out and was comfortably beaten by younger team mate and compatriot Nico Rosberg.
Mercedes, who also provide McLaren's engines and took over the title-winning Brawn team at the end of 2009, failed to provide either of their drivers with a truly competitive car however - something they have worked hard to rectify for 2011.
Jenson Button, who won the 2009 championship with Brawn and still has plenty of friends at that team, had a different perpective to McLaren team mate Hamilton.
"I think Mercedes will be competitive, yes," he told Reuters.
"With Ross (Brawn) at the helm they will produce a competitive car and give Nico and Michael a chance to have good results. They are definitely a team that will be fighting for victories this year.
"I think when Michael gets the car around him that he feels he has been a part of, he will be competitive," said Button.
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