Toto Wolff sounds Mercedes alarm: 'We haven't got the money'

Toto Wolff has stated Mercedes does not have the resources to upgrade its car like rival teams this year.

Mercedes shot out of the blocks in impressive fashion this season, winning eight out of the opening 10 grands prix and establishing healthy leads in both championships.

However, its advantage has dwindled at recent events, with McLaren winning back-to-back in Hungary and the Netherlands.

Mercedes detailed that it made a conscious decision to push resources at the start of the year into the car's construction, ensuring it started the year in a formidable position.

But with a strict budget cap in place, Wolff admitted his squad has to be cautious when it comes to spending.

“We haven't got the money to put developments on the car,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

“I said it before that we are trying to evenly split that through the season, based on our calculations of when we can bring the biggest updates and optimise the championship points. 

“We just can do what we can do, and that's why it is a development race. 

“If you bring an upgrade, each of the top teams will have a couple of tenths in it, at least, and that's what you lose. 

“The ride has been a bit tougher than at the beginning of the year.”

With the development battle in full effect, teams may continue to reel in Mercedes' lead if the Brackley-based squad is unable to match their upgrade pace.

But Wolff stated it is not a guarantee that its rival will be able to keep up the continuous introduction of new parts.

“We'll see towards the end of the year whether they're going to be able to deploy as much stuff onto the car as they do now,“ he said.

“Someone might have a different strategy in spending more at the beginning and in the middle of the year than towards the end.”