Mercedes "privileged" to still be in title hunt - Toto Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff — Photo: © LAT Images

Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Mercedes "privileged" to still be in title hunt - Wolff

Mercedes lead the championship by a point with four races remaining

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 10 November 2021 12:44

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed the team feel "privileged to still be in the fight" for the F1 world championship with Red Bull with four races remaining.

The title battle has yo-yoed between the teams all season long with Red Bull seemingly running away with both championships before Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton collided at Silverstone.

Mercedes and Hamilton then looked the favourites to hold onto their grip of the sport before Verstappen hit back in Austin and Mexico, whilst engine troubles have hit the Silver Arrows.

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The gap between the two drivers now sits at 19 points in Verstappen's favour whilst Red Bull is just a point behind Mercedes and Wolff said: "We'll be throwing everything we've got at the Brazilian [Sao Paulo] Grand Prix and the races beyond.

"We're privileged to still be in the fight so late in the season and expect these titles to go right down to the wire, with both teams fighting hard to the very last lap.

"We've got some catching up to do and know it'll be an intense battle, but we'll continue to push hard and keep our eyes firmly set on the end goal."

Mercedes searching for momentum

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix is the second race of F1's final triple-header of the season and gives Mercedes an instant chance to strike back on track.

Noting Red Bull's superiority at the circuit, however, Wolff explained: "The best thing about a triple-header is you don't have to wait long for a new opportunity to get the positive momentum back.

"We're excited to be returning to Brazil, the fans are so passionate and Interlagos is such an iconic circuit.

"It's not been our strongest track in recent seasons and has tended to suit Red Bull more, but this year has proved anything can happen. It's the last sprint race weekend, too, which opens up more opportunity."