Toto Wolff expects to proceed difficult dominance of the 2026 Method 1 marketing campaign after ’s victory on the British Grand Prix.
The Silver Arrows mastered the swap to the 2026 rules by profitable the opening six grands prix, however then Ferrari closed the hole with a considerable improve bundle for Barcelona.
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That was the sight of ’s maiden victory for the Scuderia and though Mercedes was again on prime in Austria, final weekend noticed Ferrari declare its second victory in three rounds.
“We have to have a look at ourselves,” mentioned Wolff at Silverstone, the place his staff took a podium by way of ’s runner-up end.
“They mentioned earlier than the weekend that they will be missing vitality over this monitor – they have not. They had been a powerful competitor and that is to be anticipated now for the remainder of the season.”
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However Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur is remaining pessimistic about his staff’s probabilities, significantly taking pictures down speak of a title battle because the Italian outfit is 78 factors behind Mercedes.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Vasseur’s squad can be nonetheless looking for consistency, as a result of Austria noticed Leclerc and Hamilton respectively drop from second and third to eighth and fifth after struggling for race tempo.
Though Hamilton then took a shock dash pole final weekend, he was overtaken by championship chief Kimi Antonelli, who went on to win for Mercedes.
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The 19-year-old additionally took pole for the Sunday race and regardless of dropping behind Leclerc on lap one, Antonelli was set for a late cost to victory till affected by a damaged wheel defend.
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So Vasseur was not significantly happy when requested a few potential title battle, saying: “Championship struggle is your phrases. After Barcelona, I had the remark, ‘Ah, Ferrari is again within the championship’. I mentioned no.
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“The week after, you advised me, Ferrari is nowhere, I mentioned no. We had been on the primary row. I’ll have precisely the identical strategy with everyone at residence.
“To say, guys, we did a superb weekend. Now let’s be centered on Spa. It is not that we’re champions. We aren’t nowhere. We’re bettering step-by-step.
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
“However it’s like it’s. I by no means attempt to attract a conclusion after one race, two races, a superb consequence, a nasty consequence. I am simply centered to do extra and to do higher.
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“I feel it is true for me. It is true for everyone on the manufacturing facility. Then it is your job to discuss championship. However I by no means did it.”
The Frenchman due to this fact thinks Mercedes nonetheless holds a bonus over Ferrari, particularly on the subject of total efficiency heading into the Belgian GP on 17-19 July.
“Let’s be centered on Belgium,” added Vasseur. “Let’s do a superb race. I feel Mercedes, truthfully, they nonetheless have a bonus.
“In case you have a have a look at the six, seven classes that we did this weekend, they’re most likely 5 occasions forward. However it signifies that we had a superb race.
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“It is true that on the lengthy race, it is most likely a bit simpler for us, as a result of you will have the beginning, you will have the technique.
“On the dash, it is a bit tougher. You do not have technique. It is pure tempo – let’s examine what we are able to do.
“However we additionally should be reasonable. General, they nonetheless have a small benefit by way of pure efficiency. It will likely be troublesome. However let’s be centered on Belgium.”
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