Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has conceded Red Bull's Max Verstappen is on a 'different level' in F1.
The Dutchman has been dominant so far this season, winning all but two races en route to opening a 53-point lead over teammate Sergio Perez in the title battle.
Verstappen needed only one lap in Q3 to secure pole by over four-tenths of a second, before sauntering to a 26-second victory over Lewis Hamilton in the race.
Red Bull has been unchallenged for victory as yet this season but Mercedes has seemingly taken a step forward with its W14 upgrades, with Wolff insisting Hamilton should have been alongside his former rival on the front row of the grid and not fifth-fastest.
The driver is excellent
Asked before the race how far behind Red Bull the team is now that its upgrades had been fitted, Wolff told media, including RacingNews365.com: "I would love to give an answer but I simply don't know.
"Verstappen is just on a different level. It p***es me off to say that but that is the reality.
"It is a meritocracy, they have done the best job, the driver is excellent and they are just far away.
"This is something only we have in our hands to get under control."