Toto Wolff sounds Mercedes warning despite dominant F1 advantage

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated his squad's strong start to the new season “counts for very little” if it gets complacent over its pecking order position.

The Brackley-based squad has enjoyed a dominant start to the current campaign, taking all three grands prix wins on offer so far.

However, its strong run of form was disrupted by a five-week break in the calendar after Japan due to the cancellation of two Middle Eastern races.

Ahead of the on-track return this weekend in Miami, Wolff is wary of rival teams using the break to catch up. 

“We've used this break to analyse the opening races honestly, address our weaknesses and continue to raise our level,” Wolff said.

“We've started the season well, but that counts for very little if you stand still. 

“We also know that our competitors will have used this time effectively to improve their packages and build a deeper understanding of their cars, so we expect the field to be closer in Miami. 

“That's the reality of F1; it's a challenge we not only welcome but must rise to.”

F1 teams agreed to a series of changes to the cars since Japan to combat some of the issues that arose in the opening rounds.

Previewing the expected impact of the changes, Wolff said: “As a sport, we have also used this time to engage in constructive and open dialogue with all stakeholders. 

“The regulatory tweaks are an evolution rather than a revolution, designed to build on the quality of racing we've seen so far while allowing the drivers to push to the limit. 

“These changes respect the DNA of our sport and I'm confident they will contribute to an even stronger spectacle going forward.”