Wolff shares advantage of 12-year Mercedes low

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has detailed the advantages to his squad's slump to fourth in the F1 standings this year.

The Brackley-based outfit ended the season in its lowest position since the 2012 campaign when it positioned fifth in the constructors' table.

This past campaign marked Lewis Hamilton's final term with Mercedes ahead of his switch to Ferrari next year.

Although Hamilton and team-mate George Russell were able to secure two wins apiece, it was out-scored across the year by McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull.

“The first half of the year was just not good at all,” Wolff told Sky F1, assessing Mercedes' season. 

“The second part, I guess it would have been much closer [with a stronger start].”

Wolff added he is only interested in winning the championship and any other position is of little value.

However, as Mercedes was lower in the standings, it will be allocated more wind tunnel time next year.

“I see the advantages [of finishing fourth],” Wolff added. “In the end, it's about winning the constructors'. 

“Then you really don't care whether it's P2, P3 from a purely sporting point of view - obviously it makes a difference for our employee.

“But P4 gives us more aero time for next year, particularly with the new regulations [for 2026]. 

“We have about 20 per cent more wind tunnel runs in CFD than the constructors' championship. So that's the positive.”