Wolff doesn't think title fight is special: "Being blown up into a battle royale"

Mercedes are used to being a favourite contender for the Formula One championship, but have had little to fear from rivals since the introduction of the hybrid era. This year is different, but team boss Toto Wolff insists he feels the current title fight is exactly the same as previous years.

Asked how different the title fight feels for Mercedes now that an intense duel is taking place with another team, Wolff replied that he does not experience it differently at all. "It's not so long ago that Sebastian Vettel with Ferrari was our opponent, who was even in the lead before the summer break," the Austrian told Speedweek.com. "From that point of view, the current situation is not new for us. Even if it is blown up into a titanic fight, which is the normal course of action for us."

According to Wolff, Mercedes has nothing left to prove

Wolff believes Mercedes have a slight mental advantage for the remaining races of this season. "Our advantage is that we don't have to prove anything anymore," explains the Mercedes team boss. "That makes it easier for us to act. From others I don't know, but we have built up enough confidence for this situation."

As to whether he saw an intense duel with Red Bull Racing coming or expected the championship to be decided earlier in the season, Wolff remains vague. "We already noticed at the beginning of the season that the regulations hurt us. After this, the balance of power shifted a few times between us and Red Bull. That will probably continue until the end," said the Mercedes team boss.