Merc urged to be ‘relentless’ in title push

The batteries have been recharged and they are ready to race again after the summer break, but Mercedes have been warned that they need to be "relentless" in the title push.

The reigning Champions were given a wake-up call at the Hungarian Grand Prix as Sebastian Vettel claimed his and Ferrari's second victory of the season.

To add insult to injury, no Mercedes car was on the podium – and you have to go back to 2013 for the last time that happened – as Lewis Hamilton finished sixth despite starting in pole position while Nico Rosberg was down in eighth.

Teams and drivers have had time to regroup during the summer break, but Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says his team now needs to kick on if they want to retain their titles.

"With ten races down and nine to go, we enter the second half of the season with a stronger points total than at this stage last year," he said.

"And yet, our margin to the competition is actually smaller. There is never a moment you can take your foot off the gas and Hungary proved once again that any slip is an opportunity our rivals will grab with both hands.

"We have all enjoyed a chance to recharge over the summer – but we have also kept our minds focused on what lies ahead. There are still many chances to win or lose this battle and we must be relentless in our push to come out on top."