Toto Wolff: ‘Dangerous’ for Mercedes to underestimate F1 rivals

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says it would be “dangerous” for the team to discount any of its rivals, as the manufacturer strives to capture both titles for a fifth straight year.

Mercedes dominated Formula 1 between 2014 and 2016, but revised technical regulations in 2017 brought Ferrari back into the fray, while Red Bull re-emerged as a contender after the summer break.

Mercedes ultimately prevailed, taking its fourth Constructors’ crown in as many years, but Wolff has stressed that the team cannot rest on its laurels.

“If you would have asked the question last year we would have said Red Bull will be the main contender,” Wolff said when quizzed about Mercedes’ potential rivals.

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“As it happened it was Ferrari. I think it’s very dangerous before the season has started to reduce the number of potential competitors to one or two teams.

“You need to take everybody seriously. Ferrari was very strong [in 2017], Red Bull was very strong.

“I am curious to see how McLaren will perform with the Renault engine. The step up of the works team itself will be interesting to see.

“Williams has gone quite radical. I think you need to keep taking everybody seriously at this stage.”

Hamilton, meanwhile, highlighted Red Bull’s in-season development in 2017, but was unwilling to lay down any concrete predictions.

“I’d be guessing right now and anything I say now might be different and I’d be contradicting myself,” he said.

“Last year Red Bull was over one second behind at the beginning and their rate of development was faster than anyone else.

“Will they continue on that climb into this season? If they do it is a challenge for Ferrari and us to follow up on that.

“Who is going to be fastest? We have no idea.

“It is a small step for example on this car [the W09] compared to the brand new car last year so it will be interesting to see.

“Last year if you look at Max [Verstappen], you have to expect him to have a strong year and Daniel [Ricciardo] as well. The same for Sebastian [Vettel] and Ferrari if they have a similar start to last year.”