Wolff still weary of Ferrari threat despite strong start

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has spoken of his plea for the team to 'keep pushing' ahead of this weekend's race in Baku.

Despite a 57 point advantage over closest rivals Ferrari coming into the fourth round of the season, Wolff is still weary of the challenge their Italian colleagues can mount.

With the concern of the team falling behind prior to season opener in Melbourne last March, Mercedes has had a perfect start to their season, winning all three races this year so far, as well as finishing those three first and second consecutively.

Apart from Bahrain where Ferrari had the edge, it also seems that the team have more pace than Ferrari.

"Three 1-2s in the first three races represent a fantastic start to the season," Wolff said on the official Mercedes F1 Team website

."We were able to maximise our opportunities, although we didn't always have the fastest car, but we need to keep pushing."

Ferrari is one of many teams bringing updates to their car for this year's race in Azerbaijan in the hope of closing the deficit to their Silver Arrow rivals, but Wolff is confident that the team can maintain their good pace, as long as they stay away from trouble.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was on course to win last year, but had to settle for fourth after locking up trying to pass Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas after a late safety car restart.

Bottas, who jumped Vettel thanks to staying out and pitting during the safety car, also lost the lead and retired after he suffered a puncture from unseen debris on the circuit a lap later.

The race was eventually won by Bottas' teammate Lewis Hamilton.

"The team has done a very good job and performed strongly in every department," Wolff added.

"The double-stacked pit stop in Shanghai is just one visible example of many that are happening every week at all levels of the team."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Manto02

    Posts: 93

    Things Mercedes is the best:
    2019 championship
    Drama show

    • + 0
    • Apr 25 2019 - 19:42
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      Yes, they do. So terribly tired of this.

      • + 0
      • Apr 27 2019 - 17:10

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country AT
  • Date of b. Jan 12 1972 (54)
  • Place of b. Vienne, Austria, AT
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar