Toto Wolff insists Mercedes is "not getting carried away" in its pre-event expectations for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, despite its dominance in 2024.
In the ground effects era, Mercedes has performed best at smooth tracks with colder temperatures, both of which featured in the 2024 race in Sin City.
George Russell dominated from pole position for the victory, whilst Lewis Hamilton recovered from 10th on the grid to finish second - his last podium for the team, and to date in F1.
The team has enjoyed a stronger 2025 season, and is on the cusp of finishing second in the constructors' - with a strong weekend in Las Vegas going a long way to help achieve the position ahead of Red Bull or Ferrari.
With three race weekends to go, Mercedes is 32 points clear of Red Bull, and a further four ahead of Ferrari.
However, Wolff believes previous success in Nevada does not automatically mean Russell and Kimi Antonelli start as favourites going into the weekend.
"The Las Vegas weekend is unlike anything else in F1. Racing down the Strip at night has already become an iconic part of the calendar, with the high-speed layout proving an interesting challenge and providing great racing," Wolff explained.
"It has drawn in both existing and new fans to our sport, and I am sure it will continue to do so for many years to come. The first two editions were spectacular, and I am sure this year will be even bigger and better.
On track, we've re-established our advantage in the battle for P2. We are not taking anything for granted, though.
"We saw across Austin and Mexico just how quickly that gap can disappear, and whilst our performance last year in Las Vegas may have raised expectations externally for this weekend, we are not getting carried away.
"The field is incredibly competitive, and it is going to be a battle right until the bitter end in Abu Dhabi. We have three weeks of hard racing ahead to decide who comes out on top, and we are ready to get going."
The Austrian also turned his attention to the F1 Academy title-deciding weekend, where Mercedes' Doriane Pin leads the standings from Ferrari's Maya Weug.
Pin leads Weug by nine points with a total of 39 on offer across the two races.
"One championship will definitely be decided this weekend. Doriane heads to Las Vegas leading the F1 Academy standings; it has been a brilliant battle between her and Maya all season long," he added.
"Either one will be a deserving champion, but we will, of course, be cheering our junior driver on as she looks to finish the job and end her time in the series with the ultimate success."
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