Wolff realistic about backlog: 'Must make the most of our opportunities'

The team that has taken full advantage of Red Bull's reliability problems is Mercedes. In terms of speed, the team is clearly no match for Ferrari and Red Bull, yet the team is second in the championship and George Russell is Charles Leclerc's closest rival, albeit a long way behind. Toto Wolff therefore remains realistic about his team's chances.

Mercedes had good weekend in Australia

In Melbourne, Russell grabbed his first podium for Mercedes, and technically his first podium that he really had to race for after his second place in the never started Belgian Grand Prix. With a fourth place for Lewis Hamilton as well, Mercedes had quite a good weekend in Australia.

In the Mercedes preview, Wolff agrees it was a great weekend for his team. "For us, the race went better than we expected, especially after a difficult Friday." Mercedes is the only team that have managed to score points in all three races with both drivers, indicating that reliability is at least fine with the German team. "We made the most of our opportunities, and we have to keep doing that," he said.

Not the speed of Ferrari and Red Bull

So while reliability is fine, the Mercedes clearly still lacks speed. "We know we don't have the pace of the Ferrari's and Red Bull's at the moment," nut Wolff remains realistic. According to the team boss, they is doing everything it can to close the gap. "It's brilliant to see how everyone in the factories is working together to achieve this."

Mercedes also worked hard in the weeks between Australia and Imola to improve the car, even during the Easter weekend: "That shows the dedication of the team to change the situation." Wolff is proud of Mercedes, but the Austrian remains realistic about the chances in Imola. "It will take time to make the improvements we want," he believes.