Mercedes starting from zero in 2021 - Toto Wolff

Mercedes

Mercedes starting from zero in 2021 - Wolff

But Toto is relishing the challenge.

Matthew Scott

Thursday 26 December 2019 12:30

Toto Wolff says Mercedes look at Formula 1's regulation changes in 2021 as an opportunity to prove their greatness, but knows that the team's advantage will be wiped out under the new rule book.

Vast changes to F1's aerodynamic formula will be made in 2021, as Liberty Media look to promote closer racing and increase on-track overtaking.

Mercedes emerged from 2014's engine revolution to dominate F1 and have maintained top spot through rule tweaks in 2017 and 2019 to win six straight world championship doubles.

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"2021 is going to be a completely new challenge because the regs are being put upside down," said Wolff.

"What [exists] today in terms of aero will not exist anymore in 2021. And I believe it's an opportunity as a team to do a decent job and prove that we can go through a regulatory change and come out on top like we've done in the past.

"But certainly there is no sense of entitlement. Last year's records don't buy us any credit for future seasons to come.

"It's something that is very exciting for us and I personally really look forward to have 2021 coming."

Mercedes fought off renewed challenges from Ferrari and Red Bull in 2019, with Wolff explaining that a place in history was the motivation factor.

"Every single year since 2014, we have tried to set objectives that really motivate us," said Wolff.

"And 2019 the overwhelming target was to win a sixth consecutive double championship, which wasn't done before in Formula 1, and up to our knowledge wasn't done before in any other sport on a world championship level.

"So this was the target that really kept us going. Also on the difficult days helped us to push through the weekends that didn't run in the way we've expected. It's something that really kept us energised over the whole year."