The Mercedes AMG PETRONAS team did not come away from the European Grand Prix in Baku with as many points as they would have liked considering their dominance across the weekend, after problems with Lewis Hamilton’s engine settings, curtailed the Brit’s chances of competing at the front.
Nevertheless, Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff, is confident the Brackley based squad will continue to strive to be as competitive as possible and although he was disappointed with the overall result in Azerbaijan, the Austrian is confident they will continue to lead the way at the front in Spielberg.
“At some circuits, you seem to find the sweet spot straight from the beginning – and that track suited our car in terms of demands on the Power Unit and aerodynamic efficiency. So, we left a little disappointed. But overall there were a lot of positives.”
“Our package is clearly as competitive as ever and we have seen that both drivers are pushing right to the limit – sometimes even beyond it. This is what we want to see from them.
“It would be easy to get complacent or ease off the pedal after our recent success. But they are pushing themselves, each other and the team forward at every step. We accept that sometimes this will result in tough weekends – but it’s good for all of us and good for the sport.”
Although it is clear Mercedes currently have a strong lead in the championship, Wolff is under no illusions that the competition are moving closer at certain tracks, and is particularly wary of the recent surge in performance from the Sahara Force India squad, who the Austrian now considers one of their potential rivals.
“Our priority is to eliminate the small errors which have cost points here and there. We need every weapon at our disposal operating at maximum capacity to fight off the opposition at the front, who are growing in number.
“Force India have been very strong recently, Williams are always quick in Spielberg and, of course, there is the constant threat from Ferrari and Red Bull – particularly at a home race for the latter. It should be an exciting weekend.”
