Source: Mercedes-Benz Archive

F1 News

Wolff: No prizes for being half-time champions

Wolff: "No prizes for being half-time champions"

25-07-2018 10:17
Author profile picture

Bobby Vincent

Toto Wolff demands Mercedes keep their focus off the back of the 1-2 finish they achieved in Germany to put them to the top of the constructors' championship.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has warned against complacency in the title race and insists that Ferrari aren't out of the battle just yet.

Lewis Hamilton's remarkable comeback victory in Germany was added to by Valtteri Bottas' second place finish, to give Mercedes maximum points last weekend.

Mercedes are now eight points clear of Ferrari, and Hamilton is now seventeen points clear of Sebastian Vettel, who crashed out at his home race.

Wolff has said Mercedes need to keep switched on as they travel to Hungary, a place they've only won at once since the start of the hybrid era in 2014.

"We've had our fair share of bad luck this season, but it felt like our fortunes turned around in Hockenheim," Wolff told MotorsportWeek.

"A 1-2 is always a great result; to get it on Mercedes' home turf after starting from P2 and P14 on the grid was absolutely incredible.

"However, in the cold light of day, we also know and recognise that we did not bring the quickest car to Hockenheim.

"We've passed the halfway point of the season and we lead both championships by very close margins.

"We all now that no prizes are given out for half-time champions, so we will keep pushing to improve our peformance.

"Hungary will see another tough fight with both Ferrari and Red Bull. It's a high downforce track and on paper they should be very fast in Budapest.

"However, if there's one thing the German Grand Prix taught us, it's the fact that predictions don't determine race results."