"I think humility is most important. We've always tried to be humble, and especially after last year.
"We need to remind ourselves that we were quite far off for a long time in the season."
Mercedes 'starting behind' | Hamilton: We can close the gap
Red Bull finished 244 points ahead of Mercedes last season - that tally itself being more than seven teams managed on the whole grid - and the Silver Arrows appear more realistic than optimistic before the season.