Lewis Hamilton has insisted there is no need for Mercedes to prove itself as a frontrunner in order for him to put pen to paper on a new deal.
The Silver Arrows, which has reverted to a black look for the upcoming season, has begun talks with Hamilton over an extension to his stay at the team as the partnership behind its 11th year.
The seven-time champion has been vocal in his desire to remain with the Brackley-based ouftit, though struggles last term left Hamilton winless in an F1 season for the first time in his 16-season career.
On the confidence given to him that the W14 would be a step up from its predecessor, Hamilton stressed: "Firstly, this is family to me.
"It is no coincidence we have won world championships in the past, you don't just all of a sudden lose the ability to do so.
"I have the utmost confidence in all the people I have been around.
"The place is expanding all the time, there are more people and departments joining all the time.
"When I sit in the office I have been coming to for now the 11th year, everyone is still excited to work together, it doesn't feel old, it still feels fresh.
"The conversations we have had, I think last year I was bullish because they were bullish, we had big upgrades coming but obviously it was a shock to all of us, so I think this year everyone is a lot more grounded.
"More the approach of we perhaps won't be the fastest out the gate but we have the potential to close the gap early on in the season."