Toto Wolff has praised Red Bull’s development this season, saying Max Verstappen’s recent run of victories leaves Mercedes needing its latest upgrade to work if it is to compete.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has been enjoying a return to form of late, with Max Verstappen taking the previous two Grands Prix back-to-back.
Amid its rejuvenation, Mercedes has suffered a blip in its form, coinciding with a new upgrades package which has so far left the team wanting in terms of performance.
Such is the Silver Arrows’ points buffer in both championships, however, Andrea Kimi Antonelli could win the title this weekend at the United States Grand Prix.
But Team Principal Wolff has warned that Red Bull will be firmly in the title fight next year.
“Really, you need to take your hat off to what Red Bull has done this season, how they have developed the car and how it’s all come together as a package,” Wolff told the media.
“And then you put Max Verstappen in the car, and when he feels that this thing is driving like he wants it to drive, then you know these are the results.
“He’s been by far the quickest guy [in Singapore]. He’s been the quickest guy in Kuala Lumpur.”
Wolff ready for ‘full-on fight’ in Red Bull
The Singapore win was the first of Verstappen’s career at Marina Bay. The circuit had eluded him even in 2023, when it was the only race Red Bull failed to win all season.
George Russell went further, calling Red Bull “the team to beat” after Verstappen finished second in Baku before winning in Malaysia and Singapore, three very different circuits. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies welcomed that assessment, noting the pace had shown up on “different track types” and should carry over to the rest of the calendar.
Wolff said Mercedes’ response will depend on that upgrade, which the team struggled to get working during Verstappen’s recent wins.
“Let’s see when our upgrade hopefully starts to work, and lands in a place where we think it should be, whether we can be competitive against him,” Wolff added.
“But one thing is for sure: next year it’s a full-on fight between the teams, and Red Bull is part of that.”
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