Lauda: Mercedes can compete with the teams of the first three

In days of testing in Jerez case Mercedes AMG does not always go smoothly: on Tuesday on the new machine, when on the track worked Nico Rosberg, had problems with electrics, on Wednesday, Lewis Hamilton got into an accident because of failure of the rear brakes. But then the situation gradually began to change for the better, and nick Lauda, non-Executive Director, believes that the results of the first tests give some reasons for optimism
The question Behind the first four days of tests. What conclusions can you make?
Niki Lauda: Machines from all the leading teams are close in speed. I think that now the fastest Sebastian Vettel. His machine works fine, it seems quite reliable. Currently, he is a little ahead of the others. But, to my pleasure, Mercedes quite capable to compete with the teams of the first three.
Question: But in the first two days of your racers due to technical problems could pass only 29 laps. Obviously, the beginning of the tests for your team wasn't so good?
Niki Lauda: Not at all. To and necessary tests to troubleshoot problems. In the next two days, Nico and Lewis worked very intensively, so that the program tests we performed. And the problem that occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, were eliminated.
Question: How Formula 1 is not enough Michael Schumacher?
Niki Lauda: While his absence is not too noticeable. While in the stands there is no audience, no matter participates Schumacher in the tests or not. But when the season starts, with the first race of his fans will suffer because you will not see on the track of his idol.
Question: One of the teams failed to reach the start of this season because of financial problems. Several participants of the championship of the world complain about the difficult economic situation. How can I correct the situation?
Niki Lauda: If still there are people who still flies on race business class, they themselves are to blame. So I don't feel sympathy for a team that was in the grip of financial problems. I don't know why everyone is so worried?
The Spanish team HRT from the very beginning everything was done correctly. Not differed a good organization, it was not a good machine. Everyone who succeeds gets more money. The teams of Formula 1 may occur intermittently economic difficulties, so it was 30 or 40 years ago. So gradually formed.