Motorsport boss Toto Wolff has claimed the Mercedes car is the “best on the grid” despite its niggling issues ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The defending world champions overcame one of their most difficult weekends in recent memory in Monaco to claim a commanding one-two finish in Canada at the last race, a result that moved Mercedes back to the top of the Constructors’ championship and reinvigorated Lewis Hamilton’s title fight with Sebastian Vettel.
The three-time champion himself declared Montreal a “huge blow” to Ferrari but, looking ahead to Baku, Wolff claims nothing will change in the team’s approach despite the pendulum of momentum currently going in their favour.
“In this season, where it’s so close, you need to take it one race at a time and try to have the best package at each race – chassis, power unit, and drivers, this is how we are approaching it and that’s the only way,” the Austrian said.
“It’s a long championship, there will be weekends that are good and ones that are not so good. It’s about making the best out of it each time – maximising the points that are on the table during the difficult times and bringing the trophies home when everything does come together.
“In terms of the car, we’ve joked about it being a bit of a diva but it’s a good car, though sometimes it can be difficult,” he continued.
“This is something we have to accept so that we can understand and appreciate the many positive characteristics that it has. I believe our car is the fastest on the grid and I wouldn’t want any other.”
Wolff also praised the work done by his drivers, with the much-improved atmosphere within Mercedes something that has been well-documented in recent weeks.
“Lewis is in the best place I have seen him during any of the last five years since he joined the team,” he stated. “Not only because he had a great weekend in Montreal – but because he is coping so well with the difficult days.
“This is what the very best are made of. When the fight gets tough, they get over it quickly and maximise their opportunities.
“Likewise, Valtteri is in a strong position. You would never think he joined the team very last minute over the winter and after seven Grand Prix’s he has exceeded even our expectations.
“He’s been on pole, won a race and challenged Lewis on both Saturday and Sundays. For him, it’s now just about putting it all together every single weekend and I have no doubt he will do that.”
