With just under four weeks until the start of the 2018 Formula 1 campaign, constructors have been showing off their new car models, ones that they hope will guide them to glory over the coming eight months.

One man who is always willing to speak on Formula 1 matters, and not just about his own Mercedes team, is their executive director Toto Wolff.

The Austrian analysed several teams chances to Motorsport.com, and singled out the heavily-invested Renault team to make considerable progress this season, along with Force India and Williams being the interesting teams to follow.

"Force India? There the duel between Sergio Perez against Esteban Ocon becomes entertaining. Both want to distinguish themselves for bigger things in 2019 – so this season is essential for both," said Wolff.

"Williams has a bold design, so I'm curious to see how it works. Newcomer Sergey Sirotkin has little experience, but his speed can make up for it. Lance Stroll must be a team leader at 19 in his second year of F1.

"But, Renault will make the biggest step forward for me. It will use all its resources, and has ambitious drivers with Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz."

Not for singling any team out, though, Wolff heaped praise on the likes of lesser fancied teams such as Toro Rosso and Sauber.

"Toro Rosso also has the Franz Tost factor and Honda with new ambition. The team boss is a racer and a hard worker – so there could be some surprises.

"Haas-Ferrari will be difficult to assess because in 2017 it lost a little bit, while McLaren-Renault now has an engine to compete with Red Bull. Both claim to have the best chassis, which will be exciting.

"And Sauber with Alfa Romeo is more than just a marketing gimmick. It has the best wind tunnel in F1, with [Charles] Leclerc driver, who is regarded as a star of the future and with Vasseur, a real racer, as team boss."

Without wanting to praise his own Mercedes team too much, Wolff is under the impression that the fight for the Constructors' Championship could be closer than ever this year, with the big guns Ferrari and Red Bull making changes that could see them plug the gap at the top.

"Ferrari made a giant leap from 2016 to 2017. The car will be fast again this year, and Sebastian Vettel as leader is strong and confident," said the Austrian.

"Red Bull has a great combination of drivers: a sunny boy Daniel Ricciardo who can drive really well and a giant talent in Max Verstappen who polarises opens and lifts F1. The pairing for sure is top.

"Plus, in the second half of 2017, the team put forward a development like no other. If Red Bull
remains friendly with Renault it will be a tough opponent."

With Wolff praising many drivers on the grid during his analysis, it would be interesting to see who he is scouting if Mercedes decide to replace Valtteri Bottas in 2019, with the flying Finn's contract expiring at the end of the current season.

Wolff refused to be pressed into talking about such matters, though, saying: "We will look at how Bottas is developing this year and will decide from the summer on.

"For Lewis, an extension is just a matter of detail. I assume that we will continue together."