Wolff relying on 'fresh energy' to clinch titles

40

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that the team will need all of the fresh energy it has picked up from the two-week mandatory summer shutdown if it is to secure this year's world championships.

Mercedes currently enjoys a 156 point lead in the constructors standings, while Lewis Hamilton is 19 points ahead of team mate Nico Rosberg in the battle for the drivers title, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo a further 65 points in arrears in third place.

But despite this seemingly dominant numerical advantage, Wolff insists that nothing can be taken for granted yet with nine races still to come in the 2016 season.

"We return from the summer break with fresh energy for the next phase of the season - and we will need all of that energy, as time and again we're reminded that nothing is clear cut.

"It's an unusual situation to be winning for so long, so you can't expect it to last - especially against opposition with such passion and resource as those around us.

""We were expecting Hungary to be tough, with Hockenheim playing more to our strengths. That wasn't the case," he noted. "We will continue to fight hard.

"For the drivers, it's the same story. There are more than 200 points to be won in their title battle and a lot of racing to be done yet. Lewis is on an impressive run, just like Nico had at the end of last season and into this one.

"The advantage constantly swings, so it will be exciting to see how their battle pans out.

"We're also pleased to see both of our Junior drivers side-by-side at Manor, with Esteban joining Pascal on the grid from this weekend. The coming races will be important for both of their development, so we will watch their progress with great interest.

"There is plenty to be excited about heading into these next nine races. I, for one, can't wait to get back out there.

Chris Medland's 2016 Belgian Grand Prix preview

How Eric Boullier keeps McLaren on its toes

Pascal Wehrlein interview: The rookie who wants to lead

F1i Classic - Mayhem, monsoon and the mother of all Belgian Grand Prix

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

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.