Mercedes claimed their fourth consecutive constructors’ championship and Lewis Hamilton also picked up his fourth title this year.
The Brackley-based team finished a huge 146 points ahead of Ferrari with Red Bull way off in third.
But Hamilton is backing McLaren to join the trio in the mix for the title next year, despite the British team managing just 30 points all season.
For the upcoming season McLaren has reached an agreement with Honda to be released from their partnership and switch to Renault power.
“McLaren will have Renault engines, then we may see four teams fighting for the championship,” Hamilton said.
“Red Bull will be quicker (than this year) and Ferrari will be fast. We can’t stand still. We have to keep moving forwards.”
Hamilton remains confident Mercedes can help him defend his title though, and admits he arrives at the start of every campaign believing he can go the distance.
“I have the same mindset now for next year,” he said.
“When I’m training and preparing for a new season, I firmly believe that we can be contenders for the next championship.
“It may turn out to be not possible, but you have to have that mindset.
“If you go in with expectations of finishing fifth, it’s not going to work. You’ve got to gear yourself up to win.”
The 2018 season gets underway in Melbourne in March.