Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed his team has nearly been the victims of "close calls which could have ended our weekend" during its dominant start to the F1 season.
Across both Australia and China, Mercedes has taken three front-row lock-outs, including the China Sprint, and finished one-two in both grands prix.
Only in the China Sprint has it failed to do so, with George Russell winning and Kimi Antonelli taking fifth place, meaning the team has dropped just three points thus far.
However, given the complexity of the new engines and Antonelli's FP3 crash in Melbourne, which nearly ruled him out of qualifying, the W17 machine has been subject to what Wolff described as "several close calls" which nearly proved terminal for the "fragile" new cars.
"We have made a positive start to the season, but it is only that. In both Australia and China, we had several close calls that could have ended our weekend.
"These cars are new and fragile; we were fortunate that none of the issues we faced severely compromised our results. We have work to do to make sure that continues to be the case.
"The grid is also learning so much every time we take to the track. Each weekend brings a new set of challenges, and we are focused on completing our work and looking to improve.
"We know that the moment you think you've got this sport figured out, you are usually proven wrong.
"That is as true for Kimi as it is for the team. His win in China was a great achievement and a moment to be proud of. However, his focus and ours are on what is ahead. His first victory is a first step, and all that matters is how he builds on it.
"We will support him to navigate the expectations that come with performing at the front more consistently.
"We're also hopeful that the exciting racing we saw in Melbourne and Shanghai will continue in Japan.
"Suzuka is one of the world's great race tracks, but it has, in recent years, been a difficult place to overtake. Hopefully, under these new regulations, we can put on a good show for the fans."
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