12/08/2025 15:40
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is confident his team is in a strong
position to fight up the pecking order in the second half of the F1
season. The Brackley-based squad has endured a challenging term to
date, as it slipped down the pecking order in the European leg of
the calendar. An incorrect development direction saw the car slip
out of consistent podium contention before the team reverted back
to an older spec suspension last time out in Hungary. A positive
race for the squad saw George Russell cross the line in third
place, marking his sixth podium of the season. With the summer
break now in effect, Wolff is already looking to the resumption of
the season later this month as he expects a more competitive
showing compared to recent events. "It's merited that all of the
teams have this two-and-a-half-week break because with all the
travelling, with the weekend work, everybody is pretty worn out,"
Wolff said. "Then off we go again, straight with Zandvoort for the
second half of the season, which is lots of fly-away races in
exciting locations. "For us as a team, I think we are
well-positioned to fight hard. The car has finally got the pace
back, the drivers are in good shape and good space. So I'm really
looking forward to starting again." Little development is now being
funnelled into the current cars across the grid, as the priority is
now placed on next year's challengers being built under fresh
technical regulations. With Mercedes now in a happier place with
its car, Wolff suggested all of its development focus will be
placed on the 2026 machine in a bid to start the new era in the
strongest possible position. "This year marks an interesting F1
season, because in 2026 everything changes," Wolff added. "We get a
completely new chassis, new aerodynamic regulations, finally off
those ground effect cars that haven't done us so well, and a
completely new engine. "Our development has been concentrated
around the project for a long time. "There was a small group that
was tasked with running this year's car as good as possible and
they're fully on it. "That's why I believe that the second half can
be strong, whilst all of the R&D and all of the development is
concentrated on next year's car."
