Toto Wolff is wary of a “political knife” against Mercedes as they aim to continue their perfect start to the 2026 F1 season at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both led the Mercedes one-two and each won a Grand Prix after early battles with Ferrari in Australia and China.
Mercedes already has a 31-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship, while Russell leads Antonelli by four points in the drivers’ championship, with Charles Leclerc 17 points ahead of Russell and Lewis Hamilton a further point behind.
Leclerc, who has finished fourth in the past three Suzuka races, said Sky Sports F1 Ferrari had a “huge lead” over Mercedes and was “disappointed”.
“Overall Mercedes is very strong. I’ve said many times this year it’s all about development, but Mercedes are very strong,” he said.
“Certainly, they’re big favorites. If we can turn this around, it would be great.”
One of the ways Mercedes’ rivals can win the Silver Arrows is through three periods of additional development and upgrade opportunities (ADUOs) during the season.
The team with the best performing internal combustion engine, determined to be at least 2% behind the manufacturer, will be given a development opportunity. The first ADUO is scheduled to take place after the sixth race of the season in Monaco in June, but this may change following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs in April.
There is also ongoing debate about the current state of F1 racing and whether there is too much reliance on electronic equipment, which contributes to the yo-yo style of overtaking and re-overtaking. The new 2020 power unit is 50% electric and 50% internal combustion engine.
Wolff said: “At this stage we have a good car that can win. Let’s see what political knives come out in the coming weeks and months, but for now we have a car that can win.”
Wolff: Mercedes still needs to ‘protect’ Antonelli
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Kimi Antonelli wins Chinese Grand Prix, marking debut victory for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton takes first podium with Ferrari
During his last trip to China, Antonelli became the youngest pole sitter in F1 history at the age of 19 years and 201 days, which he parlayed into his first Grand Prix victory.
Antonelli is only in his second F1 season after a mixed debut season, and although he has achieved three podiums, he has also made some mistakes.
The Italian crashed in the final practice of this year’s opening race in Australia, but Mercedes had just repaired the car in time for Antonelli to qualify on the front row and finish the race in second place.
“When he got home Saturday morning, he didn’t bring everything to the press conference,” Wolff said.
“He came in and said, ‘That wasn’t good.’ But he kind of compartmentalized and said, ‘Okay, let’s move on.’ And it wasn’t there anymore.
“That’s a trait you’ve seen in great athletes: make mistakes, analyze, look at the data, find the answer, put it back together, put it in the box. And that’s what he does. There was a tremendous amount of maturity in his interactions in the engineering room that he learned over the last 12 months.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Chinese Grand Prix qualifying comes to a thrilling conclusion as Kimi Antonelli takes pole position
Wolff revealed that Antonelli needs to be able to say “no” to people despite the high level of interest from those around him as a teenager.
She added: “It just comes naturally to him. As well as his talent with cars, he was always someone who could capture a room and make people feel like himself. He’s very affectionate.”
“There’s a bit of an Italian side to him, but he’s very warm and can take people on a journey. That’s why he has such great relationships within the team.”
“The mechanics love him, the engineering, communications people, marketing people love him. But in a way, we also have to protect him from things like that, because people take advantage of his inability to really say no.”
F1 will be at the iconic Suzuka Circuit this weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract.
