The Mercedes squad and McLaren are the new front runners. While the reigning champions, Red Bull, are grappling with a loss of pace, Mercedes is surging ahead on the track. As a result, the battle for the world title has evolved into a four-way contest, a significant shift from the previously one-sided competition dominated by RBR.
However, despite the German Marque’s solid comeback, Toto Wolff has issued a warning for the team. While the teams are currently enjoying the summer break, the competition will get intense after the break. Thus, the Mercedes chief shared his thoughts regarding the upcoming races and the fierce competition.
“Keep Both Feet On The Ground,” Says Toto Wolff Ahead Of The Zandvoort Race
The Silver Arrows have regained the momentum, as they appear undefeatable. Although the team is on the correct path to win more races, the rivals are preparing for the ultimate battle. Thus, the team would need to be on top of its game to finish higher on the team’s ranking. However, Mercedes has secured three victories in the last four races, including two for Lewis Hamilton, reigniting hopes of a title challenge. However, team principal Toto Wolff remains cautious. Speaking to the media last weekend in Spa, Wolff emphasized the need for pragmatism despite the recent successes.” We need to keep both feet on the ground,” Wolff remarked. He acknowledged the positive trend in their performance but warned against making premature assumptions about the second half of the season.
Red Bull’s early dominance, led by Max Verstappen, has been challenged by rapid developments from rivals, particularly McLaren and Mercedes. McLaren has notably closed the gap to the championship leaders to just 42 points. Wolff is acutely aware of the intensity of the upcoming battles. He noted the fierce competition, with four teams, including Mercedes, giving their all. While cautiously optimistic, Wolff stressed the importance of proving their capabilities over the remaining ten races of the season.
Kimi Antonelli Named Mercedes’ Top Priority By Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff has outlined the criteria for Mercedes’ next driver, stating that the team is focused on finding the best talent available. Currently, their top choice is Kimi Antonelli. Wolff explained that while Antonelli’s driving skills are impressive, the main concerns are his exposure to media scrutiny and the challenge of competing alongside George Russell, who is considered one of the best drivers on the grid. Despite these challenges, Wolff believes Antonelli has significant potential, solid speed, and talent but lacks experience.
Wolff also mentioned that Max Verstappen is an alternative option, but he finds this scenario unrealistic at the moment. He noted that other drivers might only agree to one- or two-year contracts, which does not align with Mercedes’ needs. Wolff was willing to take a calculated risk with Antonelli, highlighting the potential benefits of bringing him into the team.