Mercedes strife a base for long-term success - Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has claimed the Silver Arrows' struggles this year will form the foundations for another period of sustained success.

After winning a record eight successive constructors' titles since the introduction of the current hybrid era in 2014, Mercedes finds itself only the third-best team behind Red Bull and Ferrari this season.

That is primarily due to the major overhaul in the technical regulations that have led to its cars suffering from the ground-effect phenomenon of porpoising, hampering its recovery.

Despite the difficulties, Mercedes has still managed three podium finishes - twice via George Russell and once for Lewis Hamilton.

Wolff is conscious, though, these results were 'gifts' from leaders Ferrari and Red Bull and far below what the team would reasonably expect after seven grands prix.

“We have had a few podiums but this is only when something goes wrong in the front," said Wolff. "At the moment, I don’t want anything for us gifted.

“Our team is only third on the road and that is why the fifth and sixth positions are where we belong but this is not where we want to be.

"This is why, if you are inheriting a podium, it is nice, it is good for the points long-term but I don’t want any of that."

The paucity of success this season is in stark contrast to the team's astonishing feats over the past eight seasons during which it won a staggering 111 times from 160 races.

Stating his ambition to return to such form, Wolff added: “I want to be part of winning at the front.

"These are important lessons we are learning here, and it is going to be the basis of us performing long-term again.”

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