Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Wolff still wary of Ferrari gap

40

In spite of Mercedes stretching its apparent gap with Ferrari in Barcelona last weekend, Toto Wolff remains watchful of the team's performance level relative to the Scuderia and its rivals in general.

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 boss is adamant the German outfit should maintain its focus on the job at hand and restlessly proceed with upgrades and development in order to preserve its advantage.

"We are always sceptical about so-called gaps," Wolff said. "It can turn against you pretty quickly if you don’t stay on your toes and that is what we have done in the last couple of weeks. We have not looked left or right, we have concentrated on our own job of bringing the updates to the car."

With the exception of Sebastian Vettel's upset win in Malaysia, Mercedes have dominated each race since the start of the 2015 season, with Hamilton leading team mate Rosberg by three victories to one. Toto Wolff was quick to praise the efforts of every single member of the team, at every level, but still urged concentration and engagement.

"There have been some really impressive jobs from the guys on the engine and chassis side. If you manage to do them in a quiet, confident and diligent way, then eventually the result will come towards you. That is why I wouldn’t want to be over optimistic and say that is how it is going to continue, because it is easy to be caught out as we saw in Malaysia."

Click here for Wednesday's gallery from testing at the Circuit de Catalunya

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.