Team principal Toto Wolff was resolute Mercedes’ mission was “clear” with both titles wide open this weekend in Jeddah. PHOTO: Mercedesamgf1.com

BRENDAN LINES December 3, 2021

MERCEDES team principal Toto Wolff believes the defending world champions are “more motivated than ever” in stopping Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wrapping up the drivers’ championship in Jeddah this weekend.

Wolff was optimistic about Mercedes’ chances in the championship after a faultless drive by Lewis Hamilton at the previous Grand Prix in Qatar.

“The car has been performing well recently and is probably in the best place it has been all season, with the drivers confident to push it to the limit,” he said.

“That’s encouraging for the final races and gives us strong momentum to take forward.”

And Wolff probably has good reason to be confident with Bottas’ recovery in Qatar from a puncture, reeling in the gap to Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

With the championship battle seemingly swinging their way, Wolff said Mercedes was ready to stop Verstappen claiming the title this weekend.

“We are all excited to still be in the fight at this stage in the season,” he said.

“It’s a privilege and a testament to our resilience when we see where we stood in the early summer. Both titles are wide open, and our mission is clear.”

Wolff said Mercedes’ first point of order will be coming to grips with the unknown quantity of the Jeddah Corniche street circuit in FP1 later today (Jeddah time).

“It’s a fast street circuit with long flat-out sections and several high-speed corners, lined by barriers meaning it’ll be high risk and reward,” he said.

“We’re more motivated than ever and we expect to be in the hunt, so we are all looking forward to the debut grand prix in Saudi Arabia.”

FP1 for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix begins 12am (ACDST) tonight.