Wolff: Predictions 'almost meaningless' in F1 title fight

Mercedes Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff says that while the Singapore Grand Prix should suit chief title rival Ferrari on paper, predictions are “almost meaningless” amid the close title fight in 2018.

Mercedes heads into the final flyaway run of the season holding a 25-point lead in the constructors’ championship over Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton sits 30 points clear in the drivers’ standings as he vies for his fifth title.

Wolff: Predictions 'almost meaningless' in F1 title fight

Mercedes Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff says that while the Singapore Grand Prix should suit chief title rival Ferrari on paper, predictions are “almost meaningless” amid the close title fight in 2018.

Mercedes heads into the final flyaway run of the season holding a 25-point lead in the constructors’ championship over Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton sits 30 points clear in the drivers’ standings as he vies for his fifth title.

Remote video URL

Both Hamilton and Mercedes saw their advantages grow after an unexpected win in the Italian Grand Prix eight days ago as Ferrari appeared to enjoy an edge in pace, having locked out the front row of the grid.

While Wolff said he and the team can take plenty of heart from the win at Monza, he said it was difficult to read too much into the form book, using Singapore as an example. 

“The result in Italy was a great reward for everyone in the team who has been working tirelessly to improve our performance,” Wolff said.

“We knew that the race in Monza would be another big challenge for us, after the defeat in Spa, but we managed to prevail through a combination of individual skill and fantastic teamwork. However, we also know that we've been strong at Monza in recent years and the track characteristics make the Italian Grand Prix a bit of an outlier. 
 
"Singapore, on the other hand, has features that we've struggled with in the past. The short straights, the slow, tight corners and the bumpy surface all make the Marina Bay Street Circuit one of the trickiest tracks of the season for us.

“In 2015, we endured one of our most painful experiences in recent years there. Last year, we started the race from the third row - and came home with a win and a third place.

“On paper, the track should favour the Ferraris, but the championship fight is so close that predictions are almost meaningless.”

Wolff went on to call the title fight against Ferrari “monumental” and said he felt the current battle was the greatest challenge Mercedes had faced in recent years.

“I'm simply amazed by the energy in Brackley and Brixworth at the moment. Each team member knows that we're facing the biggest challenge in our recent history,” Wolff said.

“But every man and woman in the team is willing to push themselves to the limit. We will be fighting with everything we've got for these two championships."

Remote video URL

Read More