Mercedes on red alert as Wolff backs Hamilton in Shanghai

SHANGHAI - Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has backed Lewis Hamilton to exact swift revenge at Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix after a chastening loss in Formula One's season opener in Australia.

Sebastian Vettel's triumph for Ferrari put Mercedes on red alert ahead of the Shanghai race weekend, but Wolff insists Hamilton has what it takes to strike back after finishing second in Melbourne.

"Lewis is the best Lewis that I've seen in the last four years - both on and off the track," said Austrian Wolff. "He's become a pillar of this team and he proved that in Melbourne.