Toto Wolff admitted the performance from the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS team in Singapore was well below expectations, and knows the team must not take they position at the front of the field for granted.
The Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport expects the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka to suit the team much better, and will be a good indicator to whether Singapore last weekend was just a blip or not for the team, or if Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have genuinely caught up.
“The performance in Singapore was far below expectations and left us with plenty to think about moving forwards,” said Wolff. “But move forward is what we will do.
“We remain calm, learn our lessons and use the pain of those disappointments as motivation to get back on top. One bad weekend does not negate what has been an incredible season so far and we know our car is competitive. But we also recognise the constant threat from our rivals.
“Whether Singapore was a blip or not, we cannot take our position at the front for granted and expect not to get caught out. Suzuka is a track that should suit us better, so this will be a good indicator.
“Of course, as we return to Japan, we will be thinking of Jules [Bianchi], his family and our friends at Manor Marussia on what will be an emotional weekend for us all.”
