Wolff: Mercedes ready to ‘prove our strength’

Editor

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has said the team is more determined than ever to show they are still the top dogs in Formula 1.

The Silver Arrows are currently leading the Constructors' Championship by 39 points, while Lewis Hamilton is 14 points behind Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel In the World Driver's Championship.

After the summer break, Wolff and the entire Mercedes team are eager to bring home both championships for a fourth consecutive year.

"Our targets remain the same as they were before the first race: to win both championships," Wolff said.

"History has shown that the fastest car usually brings you the drivers' title; and the best and most consistent driver pairing wins you the constructors'.

"So the priorities are clear: we must keep bringing performance to the car at every race – and keep racing without mistakes to maximise our performance potential at every track.

"The motivation and determination in the factory are greater than ever. Hungary showed the strength of our team – and we intend to use the second half of this season to prove that strength."

Wolff was also keen to point out how well Mercedes have tackled the new aerodynamic changes for 2017.

He added: "It was clear to all of us that 2017 would be a very different season to the three that came before.

"Then, we had the luxury of a performance advantage to the rest of the field, which meant our two drivers were fighting for the title between themselves.

"For this year, the rules were changed to reset the competitive balance across the field. And it worked.

For the first time ever, the champion team has maintained its status as a pacesetter after a big rule change and we are proud that we laid down that marker.

"But that is now history. We have been joined by Ferrari and also Red Bull as the season has developed.

"This is the new reality we are racing in now and we are open-minded enough to adapt our approach to those new circumstances."