Wolff: It's good to have Honda back competing at the top

Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff has revealed that he is happy for Honda after their successful debut in a Red Bull car at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend which saw Max Verstappen secure third place.

Despite Pierre Gasly having a difficult weekend on his Red Bull debut, Verstappen secured third place with an impressive drive, comfortably beating Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc to secure the final podium place. Mercedes secured a one-two but Wolff admitted he was impressed and pleased for the Japanese engine manufacturer after a difficult few years in Formula 1.

“Honda has certainly made a huge step forward,” Wolff told the official F1 website.

“If you look at the speed trace it looks a very different Red Bull than before.

“They are very fast on the straights and that is good to see because we want them in the mix and to have a great fight.”

At one point during the race, it looked as if Verstappen could catch Hamilton in second and Wolff has put Red Bull in the mix for the title.

“You saw how they have eaten up Sebastian into Turn 3, the power was enormous.

“Based on the level of performance, you must certainly have them in the calculation for the championship.”