Toto Wolff has thrown down the gauntlet for Mercedes, aiming to push the Silver Arrows into the top three of both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships by the end of the season. This declaration follows a series of strong performances that have reshaped Mercedes’ place on the grid.
Following a summer break marked by three wins out of four races courtesy of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes finds itself 79 points behind Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship. Hamilton and Russell are currently in sixth and eighth positions in the Drivers’ standings, with Hamilton just 27 points short of catching third-placed Charles Leclerc.
The W15 has shown considerable progress as the season has unfolded, placing Mercedes in the company of McLaren and Red Bull as one of the leading teams. Wolff emphasized that the advance in performance is evident across various platforms, stating, “We saw a real correlation between the virtual world, the tunnel, the simulator, and the track. It was a sense of relief but also motivating.”
He added that consistent efforts and hard work at the Brackley and Brixworth factories have been pivotal. “Pole in Canada did not come as a surprise to us, therefore. We started to see many sessions that looked positive, not just on Friday when the track was green and where we had been misled in the past. That has resulted in an upturn in fortunes. Three victories in the past four races are a testament to that.”
The improvements in the W15 have instilled confidence within the team, with Wolff noting that they now possess a car capable of scoring solid points each week. He added, “We have two top drivers that can make that happen. There is still more work to be done to fight for victory every weekend, but we have made good steps forward.”
The upcoming races will be crucial as the competitive order among the top four teams remains tight. Wolff underlined the excitement and unpredictability of the current season, stating, “It is difficult to say what will happen in the final 10 races. The competitive order between the top four is close. That is a good thing though as it is making the sport incredibly exciting. We will be pushing hard to fight for more victories and aiming to get top three in both championships.”
With determination and a clear target set by Wolff, Mercedes is gearing up for a thrilling climax to the season. The team’s recent resurgence offers hope and excitement as they strive to secure their place among the top three in both championships.
