Toto Wolff: “The two most satisfying titles”

Mercedes will end its 2017 season in F1 this weekend in Abu Dhabi, with a new double in the Drivers and Manufacturers rankings. A result identical to previous years, but which should not overshadow the hard work put in by the world champions in the face of a Team Ferrari conquers in the first part of the championship.

The Italian team finally let go after the summer break, leaving Mercedes to take the crowns in this pivotal year with the change in technical regulations.

“We head to Abu Dhabi for the final race of the 2017 season with the same hunger and inner fire that we had in Melbourne over seven months ago, says Toto wolff, boss of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

In the meantime, we have reached new limits, bounced back from painful defeats, and faced new and unexpected challenges. Facing strong rivals, we had to work harder than ever. And that battle made these two titles the most satisfying yet »

Finding victory again

Mercedes also intends to return to the top step of the podium which has eluded the German team since the evening of the United States Grand Prix. Indeed, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) then Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) won the last two events in Mexico then in Brazil.

Enough to also offer the W08 one last victorious outing before giving way to its replacement in 2018. “Our goal in Abu Dhabi is quite simple: give the best of ourselves, extract the maximum from our “diva” for her last race and win, Wolff says.

We saw promising pace in Mexico and Brazil, two tracks where we expected to be behind, which is a positive sign of the progress we have made in understanding our difficulties this year.

But we haven't been on the top step of the podium since Austin and we are determined to change that in Abu Dhabi. Valtteri is on a roll, with two podiums in the last two races and Lewis will aim to end this historic season on a high note. It is a goal that we all share. »