Lewis Hamilton "fired up for battle that lies ahead" - Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff talking with Lewis Hamilton in the pitbox — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

Hamilton "fired up for battle that lies ahead" - Wolff

Hamilton holds a two-point lead over Verstappen heading to Turkey

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 6 October 2021 12:44 Updated: 13:06

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said Lewis Hamilton is "fired up for the battle that lies ahead" with Red Bull at the Turkish Grand Prix and beyond.

F1 returns to Istanbul Park for the second time in two seasons with the event replacing the cancelled Japanese Grand Prix.

Hamilton holds a slender two-point lead over title rival Max Verstappen after an incredible race in Russia yielded victory last time out, with Mercedes 33 points to the good over Red Bull in the constructors' standings.

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There is little data to support whether the track will suit Mercedes or Red Bull with the track surface dictating a chaotic weekend last year.

Ahead of the weekend, Wolff said: "This season is keeping all of us on our toes and that’s something we’re enjoying immensely, but it also means we have to be aggressive with our approach to the season, in order to maximise the points available.

"That’s our focus for Turkey and beyond. I know Lewis, Valtteri and the entire team are fired up for the battle that lies ahead, and we look set for another exciting race this weekend at Istanbul Park, where there are still many unknowns for us because of the track surface and weather conditions in 2020.

"It’s an exciting track layout and a good one for racing, so I think we’ll be in for another spectacular twist in this brilliant F1 season."

Hamilton milestone "exceptional"

Hamilton's victory in Russia was his 100th in F1, becoming the first driver in history to reach triple-figures.

Wolff suggested the magnitude of the achievement would take time to fully sink in for members of the team.

"There’s been a brilliant buzz in the team over the last week or so," he explained.

"Being back on the top step of the podium was an incredible feeling for all of us, and particularly after such a dramatic race weekend.

"It was obviously made even more special by being Lewis’ 100th race win in Formula 1.

"In the moment, milestones like this are exceptional, but I think it will take time for us to all realise just how remarkable this period of time is, and how privileged we all are to be part of this journey with him.

"The final moments of the last race in Russia proved that anything can happen in F1 and fortunes can change in the blink of an eye."