Mercedes taking ‘maximum attack’ approach into final races of 2018

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has vowed his team will be giving “maximum attack” heading into the final seven races of the 2018 season.

The reigning world champions claimed an important victory on Ferrari’s home soil at the Italian Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton took advantage of a first-lap collision with chief title rival Sebastian Vettel to pass Kimi Raikkonen to claim victory.

Mercedes taking ‘maximum attack’ approach into final races of 2018

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has vowed his team will be giving “maximum attack” heading into the final seven races of the 2018 season.

The reigning world champions claimed an important victory on Ferrari’s home soil at the Italian Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton took advantage of a first-lap collision with chief title rival Sebastian Vettel to pass Kimi Raikkonen to claim victory.

Hamilton’s record-equalling fifth win at Monza saw him move 30 points clear of Vettel at the end of the European leg of the season. Mercedes is bracing itself for a tough race at Singapore – given its recent performance struggles at the circuit – and is determined to extract more performance out of its 2018 challenger ahead of the race.

Remote video URL

“We will give it everything in Singapore and all the remaining races,” Wolff said. “We will turn all factories in Brixworth and Brackley upside down to extract performance and go to Singapore with the aim of do the best.

“Whether that’s good enough to win the race or not I don’t know yet, but the next seven races are going to be maximum attack.”

Mercedes has faced a renewed title challenge from Ferrari this season, with the Scuderia appearing to have become the new leading benchmark in terms of engine performance having made impressive gains over the winter.

Both teams introduced their final engine updates of the season at Spa and Ferrari looked to have the edge with its package, as Vettel sealed a convincing win. Mercedes capitalised in Italy but insists it is still lagging behind Ferrari, despite holding a 25-point advantage in the constructors'. 

When asked how he felt about Mercedes’ recent progress, Wolff said: “I’m happy. I’m proud about the step we have made with the car and the engine from Spa to Monza. We have really tried to unlock all the potential we had in the car and to bring it to Monza.

“We had solid engine power and we did what we could. I don’t want to excuses but we lost three tenths on the straight in qualifying. In the race that wasn’t the case anymore.

“It just shows how fantastic this sport is that things bounce back and forth,” Wolff added.

“We are all oscillating between drama and glory, not only between race weekends but also between the days and this is the ingredient of a great championship.”

Read More