Toto Wolff (Mercedes): “Nobody is under any illusions about this”

Mercedes is leading both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships and has been the class leader in Formula 1 since the introduction of the new 2026 regulations. However, the competition is closing in. Team principal Toto Wolff has therefore warned that the next few races will be difficult and could prove decisive.

Wolff: Mistakes carry even greater weight

Looking ahead to this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix and the Madrid Grand Prix debut immediately afterwards, the Austrian explains: “The races at Monza and Madrid mark the start of a crucial phase of the season for us. The field has become so tightly packed that several teams are capable of winning on their own merits. As a result, mistakes carry even greater weight.”

Mercedes leads both World Championship standings: Kimi Antonelli is top of the drivers’ standings. Since the Dutch Grand Prix, second place has also gone back to the Silver Arrows: although George Russell is level on points with Lewis Hamilton (3rd/Ferrari), he is nominally second in the World Championship again thanks to more race wins. In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes have an 87-point lead over Ferrari.

Wolff warns about the upcoming races

However, Wolff does not want to read too much into this: “Whilst we have secured a strong starting position in both world championships, nobody in our team is under any illusions as to how difficult the next few races will be.”

Wolff confirms Antonelli’s penalty

Added to this is a special situation at the Italian Grand Prix: local hero Kimi Antonelli, who hails from Bologna near Monza, must serve a penalty. Wolff: “For us, Monza begins with a challenge. Kimi has been handed a penalty for using a new power unit and must therefore start from the back of the grid. That’s disappointing for him and the fans, who want to see him battling at the front in his home race. But in our sport, sentimentality isn’t rewarded. When you make decisions with the World Championship battle in mind, you sometimes have to pay a short-term price for it.” The engine change, beyond the allocation, would have been due anyway. On the high-speed Monza circuit, the fresh engine does at least offer a performance advantage. And overtaking shouldn’t be a problem there either.

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Wolff: “Our goal is now clear: we want to make up as many places as possible and maximise our points haul. George is heading to Monza on the back of some great momentum and will try to establish himself firmly in the fight right from the start of the weekend.” The Briton had won the Sprint in the Netherlands and finished third in the race (and is now back in second place in the World Championship, as mentioned).

Energy management is likely to be an issue

However, Wolff points out: “Monza offers very few opportunities for energy recovery. For much of the lap, the power unit is pushed to its limits and there are hardly any chances to recharge the battery. Under the current regulations, this leads to compromises that need to be carefully managed. It’s an interesting challenge that will likely make for an exciting weekend.”