Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is confident his team is in a strong position to fight up the pecking order in the second half of the F1 season.
The Brackley-based squad has endured a challenging term to date, as it slipped down the pecking order in the European leg of the calendar.
An incorrect development direction saw the car slip out of consistent podium contention before the team reverted back to an older spec suspension last time out in Hungary.
A positive race for the squad saw George Russell cross the line in third place, marking his sixth podium of the season.
With the summer break now in effect, Wolff is already looking to the resumption of the season later this month as he expects a more competitive showing compared to recent events.
“It’s merited that all of the teams have this two-and-a-half-week break because with all the travelling, with the weekend work, everybody is pretty worn out,” Wolff said.
“Then off we go again, straight with Zandvoort for the second half of the season, which is lots of fly-away races in exciting locations.
“For us as a team, I think we are well-positioned to fight hard. The car has finally got the pace back, the drivers are in good shape and good space. So I'm really looking forward to starting again.”
Little development is now being funnelled into the current cars across the grid, as the priority is now placed on next year's challengers being built under fresh technical regulations.
With Mercedes now in a happier place with its car, Wolff suggested all of its development focus will be placed on the 2026 machine in a bid to start the new era in the strongest possible position.
“This year marks an interesting F1 season, because in 2026 everything changes,” Wolff added.
“We get a completely new chassis, new aerodynamic regulations, finally off those ground effect cars that haven't done us so well, and a completely new engine.
“Our development has been concentrated around the project for a long time.
“There was a small group that was tasked with running this year’s car as good as possible and they're fully on it.
“That’s why I believe that the second half can be strong, whilst all of the R&D and all of the development is concentrated on next year's car.”
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