Formula 1

Mercedes’ Toto Wolff: “We have a responsibility to the drivers”

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Toto Wolff - Credit: Mercedes AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

Toto Wolff insists it is the team’s responsibility to ensure that both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have the opportunity to fight fairly for the World Drivers’ Championship after Mercedes AMG PETRONAS clinched the Constructors’ Championship last time out in Japan.

The Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport knows one of his drivers will take the Drivers’ crown with third placed Daniel Ricciardo 101 points behind Rosberg with only 100 points left on offer, but Wolff knows pressure is not only on the drivers as the last run of races begin this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas.

“Last week was a fitting way to mark a great achievement by the hundreds of men and women who made this triple Championship a reality,” said Wolff. “But that was last week.

“We now look only forwards and our priority over the coming weeks is to give both our boys the best possible chance of winning the remaining four races. The title is purely between them, which is fantastic news for the team as we can be happy whatever the final outcome.

“However, the pressure is on to ensure that their battle is decided man-to-man, and hopefully wheel-to-wheel, on the race track. We may already have celebrated our Championship success as a team – but we have a responsibility to the drivers and will not let anything distract us from the job at hand.”

Wolff also knows the challenge that the team are facing heading into 2017, with the development of their next challenger in full swing.

“Likewise, we have an entirely new challenge to prepare for in 2017,” said Wolff. “While we savour these moments, it’s going to be a long, hard winter ahead. There is much work to be done in the coming weeks and months – but also plenty of excitement on the way I’m sure.”

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