Formula One ace Michael Schumacher has backed McLaren's driver duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button to challenge Red Bull for the championship this season.
Seven-times champion, Schumacher, said world champions Red Bull still have the edge, but believes they will face a stern challenge from the McLaren duo.
He said the competition would be tough in the season opener in Melbourne a week on Sunday with six champions fighting out for the win.
Schumacher said champions Red Bull were unlikely to continue their overwhelming form of last year.
"We can see that the field will be very narrow this year, but I do not have a clear picture of what might happen yet. What we can say though is that the gap between the several leading teams will not be as big as it was last year," The Mirror quoted Schumacher, as saying.
Schumacher conceded that he doesn't expect to win the Australian Grand Prix, and he faces a third winless season on the run.
"Victory for me in Australia is unlikely, I see Red Bull in front. Behind them it will be tight and you can be either hero or zero very quickly. It will come down a lot to the ability of how well you set up your car to the respective track," he said.
