Can Sauber beat Mercedes in constructors battle?

Ambitious Sauber believe that they can beat Mercedes in this seasons Formula One constructors world championship.

Despite Mercedes scoring their maiden victory this season with Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher showing signs of his former glories, in particular in Monaco, Mercedes have once again failed to really get a grip on this seasons championship.

Mercedes are currently placed fifth, while Sauber are sixth in the standings behind the likes of Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus.

Mercedes have scored 126 points, 91 points less than Lotus and find themselves looking over their shoulder instead of attempting to break into the top four.

Sauber have done well this season, with Sergio Perez picking up his third podium finish of the season at Monza last weekend. They are placed just 26 points behind Mercedes and have eyes on leapfrogging the German outfit over the final part of the F1 championship.

'After our strong start to the season, many people were predicting that the wheels would come off for us, so to speak, as the season progressed, The reality, though, is we're getting stronger all the time, and I'm anticipating that we'll continue to deliver good performances through the final third of the season. Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn said in a Sauber team Q&A session.

'Before the season got under way we said we wanted to significantly improve our position in the World Championship. Taking our seventh place in the Constructors' standings in 2011 as a starting point, that would mean finishing fifth this year.

'That's an ambitious target, but you have to set your sights high. And I have every confidence in our team.'

With Sauber intending to bring another series of upgrades for the races in Asia, Mercedes have a battle on their hands.

But can they do it? Have your say in our front page poll which is on the right of this article.