Toto Wolff believes it is all still to play for between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton as the two do battle for the World Drivers’ Championship in the final two race of the season, starting this weekend at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Brazil.
The Head of Mercedes Benz Motorsport believes Rosberg will experience pressure like he’s never had before as he looks to clinch his maiden title, although Wolff expects him to handle it well, all while team-mate Hamilton breathes down his neck after victories in the last two Grand Prix in the United States and Mexico.
“Mexico brought us the best possible result from a race which was far from straightforward,” said Wolff. “It also leaves us with a fascinating scenario heading to Brazil.
“For Nico, all this talk of just needing to finish second in order to make it to the end is over. He has it in his hands. If he wins the race in Brazil, he is Champion. We’ve seen many races, particularly in the second half of this season, where he has coped well under pressure. But, mentally, I think this new situation is actually a bit easier in terms of tackling the situation with a little less pressure, as he still has another chance in Abu Dhabi.
“Equally, Lewis knows what he must do to keep his title hopes alive. He will never back down and that’s what makes him one of the great ones. He has three Championships and 51 victories under his belt – and no matter the outcome this year, we all know there will be more to come. It’s a really interesting dynamic and great for the fans.”
Wolff believes the team have maxed out their performance under the current regulations, which is why some teams are moving closer to their level, but the team are still focused on maximising everything they can across the final two races of the season.
“As a team, we will do all in our power to provide both with the opportunities they need,” said Wolff. “We’re maxed out on performance, as is normal at the end of a regulation cycle, and when that happens everything becomes more marginal.
“This is where we find ourselves right now, so we must remain focused on every last detail.”
