Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is convinced that McLaren has now become the “new benchmark” in Formula 1 following the team’s 1-2 result in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
McLaren has emerged as an equal match to Red Bull since introducing updates in Miami earlier this term but rued squandering several opportunities in recent events.
But its MCL38 was a class apart at the Hungaroring and the Woking-based squad converted a front row lockout into a first maximum results finish since Monza 2021.
McLaren has now overtaken Ferrari to move into second spot in the Constructors’ Championship and reduced Red Bull’s advantage to 51 points with 11 rounds to go.
With Red Bull’s latest upgrades not delivering the step Max Verstappen hoped, Wolff reckons there is no choice but to acknowledge McLaren has the fastest package.
“We have to acknowledge that McLaren is now clearly leading the field, under all conditions. That is the new benchmark,” Wolff said.
“It’s great that there is another team that has made the leap and is capable of scoring 1-2 victories.
“This is good for all of us. But under these circumstances we were not at the level to stand up to them.
“But I am happy for them. And I have already seen the film in which they meet again.”
Oscar Piastri, who achieved his maiden F1 success on the 35th attempt in Budapest, has proclaimed that McLaren has a car that is competitive across all conditions.
“Yes, it’s a beast at the moment,” the Australian beamed. “Very fast, under all circumstances. We had it completely under control today.”
Meanwhile, Mercedes capitalised on an undercut and Verstappen running into Hamilton in the closing laps to score a third consecutive podium behind the McLarens.
“I’m not sure we were faster than Max today. We beat him on the track, but probably not on pure race pace,” explained Wolff.
Mercedes cautioned heading into the weekend that the sweltering temperatures expected and the rear-limited track characteristics would be a hindrance to its W15.
Wolff has conceded that transpired to be the case throughout the sessions as he rued an operational mistake seeing George Russell, who came eighth, exiting in Q1.
“But it’s clear that Budapest, especially in the heat, with the asphalt, was never going to be really good for us,” he added.
“So to take home a hard-fought podium now is good… unfortunately we lost the race with George yesterday.”
But while he suspects that both Red Bull and McLaren will be uncatchable in the standings, Wolff is hopeful that Mercedes can claw back its 81-point gap to Ferrari.
“It’s difficult to catch up with Red Bull and McLaren are the ones being hunted now. That’s why I think P3 is the goal,” the Austrian assessed.
“It’s only human that expectations are based on what you have just achieved,” he said, referring to the victories in Spielberg and Silverstone.
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