Toto Wolff: “We can’t fight for victory at every race yet”

Forte de trois victoires lors des quatre dernières courses, dont un doublé à Spa avant la disqualification de George Russell pour non-conformité de la voiture aux règles de la FIA, Mercedes aborde la deuxième moitié de la saison avec un regain de confiance après deux années difficiles. Malgré cet élan encourageant, Toto Wolff, le patron de l’équipe allemande, tempère les attentes en rappelant que, bien que des progrès aient été faits, Mercedes n’est pas encore en mesure de se battre pour la victoire à chaque Grand Prix, notamment face à McLaren et Red Bull, qui conservent une longueur d’avance.

Before the summer break, we gained momentum with an improved car and better results. We will try to build on this for the last 10 races of the season. We know we still have ground to make up. We are not yet ready to fight for victories in every Grand Prix,” recently declared Toto Wolff to the media, including Planet F1. The Austrian is therefore insisting on the need to remain cautious as there are still ten races to go this season. However, he acknowledges the significant progress made by his team since the beginning of the year.

Major progress made this season

« We have made good progress in correcting the weaknesses of the W15, and we will continue to work hard to further improve the car. If we succeed, we will be able to reduce the gap with those ahead of us in both championships. » After a start to the 2024 season similar to the difficulties encountered in 2022 and 2023, where the team could no longer aim for victory regularly, the momentum has shifted in recent weeks. The Silver Arrows are now able to compete with McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari. For Wolff, this turning point occurred when James Allison returned as technical director, replacing Mike Elliott, who had defended the concept of « zero-pontoon », a choice that had led Mercedes to two challenging seasons, with only one victory secured during that period, in 2022 in Brazil thanks to George Russell.

At some point, under James’ impulse, the data suddenly made sense and the gap was bridged. It’s mainly related to how we balanced the car and improved its behavior. It wasn’t a miraculous front wing [introduced in Monaco], it was mostly a matter of balance.

Mercedes hopes to be able to compete with McLaren and Red Bull.

As the Formula 1 resumes this weekend in Zandvoort, Mercedes, currently fourth in the constructors’ standings with 266 points, hopes to continue on this momentum and catch up with the leading teams, particularly Ferrari, who have been struggling lately. Why not take advantage of this opportunity this weekend, on the home turf of local hero Max Verstappen, undefeated on this circuit since its return to the calendar in 2021? The competition promises to be intense, and despite Wolff’s cautious statements, Mercedes seems ready to position itself among the best, as it has not left the podium for the past six races.

This progress also delights Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion, who will leave Mercedes after 12 years of collaboration to join Ferrari in Maranello, recently expressed his satisfaction with the level of competitiveness now present in Formula 1, where each driver must give their best on every lap.

« It’s really fantastic for the sport to see teams and drivers so close. The caliber of the drivers at the top today is incredibly high. We did not expect to compete with McLaren or Red Bull at this stage of the season, especially given our start to the year, Hamilton said.

The British driver then added: « Now that we have reduced the gap… The second part of the season promises to be exciting, that’s for sure. » With four teams capable of winning races, the rest of the season promises to offer a fierce battle until the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. For his part, Toto Wolff affirmed: « Mercedes is ready to resume the race this weekend at Zandvoort. »