Toto Wolff is certainly not resting on his laurels after Mercedes’ first two victories of the season. Both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli have already won a Grand Prix this year, but according to Wolff, it was a close call that Mercedes didn’t go home with zero championship points. ‘Both in Australia and in China there were various precarious situations that could have suddenly ended our weekend’, the team principal explains, which is why he still sees plenty of work ahead for his team.
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Mercedes has made an excellent start to the new season with two Grand Prix victories in a row – and a sprint victory in China. Only Ferrari has been able to put up resistance in the opening stages of the races so far, but according to Toto Wolff, the Silver Arrows still need to be careful. “We’ve made a positive start to the season, but that’s all,” says the team principal in the preview of the Japanese GP. “Both in Australia and in China there were various precarious situations that could have suddenly ended our weekend.”
George Russell, for example, encountered a technical problem during qualifying in China in Q3. The Brit was then only able to complete one quick lap, although it was good enough for P2. “These cars are new and fragile. We were lucky that none of the problems we encountered seriously jeopardized our results,” Wolff explains further. “We still have work to do to ensure that remains the case.”
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Furthermore, Wolff also expects the competition to get closer to the Silver Arrows. “The rest of the field also learns an enormous amount every time we go out on track,” adds the Austrian. “Every weekend brings new challenges. We know that the moment you think you’ve got this sport figured out, you’re usually wrong.”
Mercedes’ focus – like all other Formula 1 teams – is now on Suzuka, where Wolff is particularly hoping for some good overtaking action. “Suzuka is one of the world’s most beautiful racing circuits, but in recent years it’s been difficult to overtake there. Hopefully with these new rules we can give the fans a great show.”
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