Team principal of Mercedes, Toto Wolff, is tempering expectations despite a strong start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. While acknowledging the team’s robust performance, Wolff expressed caution in prematurely labeling Mercedes as a title contender.
The German automaker made a striking impression in the season’s early stages, particularly at the Chinese Grand Prix. Mercedes’ ace driver, George Russell, continued his streak of successful podium finishes clinching yet another third place. Alongside him, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s position within the top six further cemented Mercedes’ strong presence, drawing them closer to their key competitor, McLaren.
Russell’s performance on the track was a mirror reflection of the season’s opening round in Australia, where he managed to break through the McLaren duo. However, despite this achievement, Russell was unable to threaten the McLaren pair during the race. His performance, nevertheless, sparked optimism in Wolff regarding the perceived advantage of their rivals.
In a conversation with Sky Germany, Wolff noted, “Today they [McLaren] had maybe two-tenths of a second ahead of us. Considering our car didn’t function optimally on Friday, we made a good advancement. Two-tenths, even three-tenths, can be compensated. The way it was in Melbourne was too much.”
McLaren’s significant lead in Albert Park led Russell to suggest that the team could shift focus to the 2026 season and still clinch both titles. While both McLaren drivers dismissed his comment, Wolff defended Russell’s perspective based on the pace demonstrated by the Woking-based squad.
According to Wolff, “After Melbourne, this statement was entirely understandable. Today we were closer. However, we must conduct a meticulous analysis after several race weekends to determine our real standing.”
Wolff advises Mercedes to keep their feet on the ground, insisting on establishing a solid foundation after a few races before making any predictions about the team’s overall competitiveness. He believes it is crucial to avoid oscillating between ecstasy and frustration and instead to assess the current situation objectively.
Despite trailing McLaren by 21 points in the Constructors’ Championship, Wolff is reluctant to declare Mercedes as being in the title race. Nevertheless, he admits that being the second-strongest team is a commendable achievement.
While Wolff remains grounded, he is confident that Mercedes has a strong base to take on McLaren. The W16, devoid of the inconsistent hiccups of its predecessors, provides a stable platform to chase the competition.
“The foundation of our car is stable. If we modify a mechanical component, a wing, or the aerodynamics, they respond as anticipated,” Wolff stated. However, he stressed, “We must remain pragmatic: We’re not yet where we aspire to be. We won’t be content until we’re winning races again and vying for championships. But there’s no such thing as guaranteed success – you have to work for it. And that’s the exciting journey that lies ahead of us.”
In conclusion, despite Mercedes’ strong start to the Formula 1 season, Toto Wolff is keeping his expectations in check. With a strong team and a stable car, Mercedes is on an exciting journey as they look to close the gap with McLaren.