Toto Wolff warns that Ferrari's results put pressure on Mercedes

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is urging his team to conduct a thorough self-assessment following Ferrari's resurgence in the Formula 1 season. Despite Mercedes' strong start, winning the first six races, Ferrari has significantly closed the performance gap, culminating in Charles Leclerc's victory at the British Grand Prix.

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We have to do a self-examination.

Wolff acknowledged Ferrari's progress, noting their unexpected competitiveness at Silverstone. "We have to do a self-examination," he stated, adding that Mercedes must anticipate Ferrari remaining a formidable rival for the remainder of the season. He specifically pointed out that Ferrari's performance contradicted pre-race expectations of a power deficit on that circuit.

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Before the weekend they said they would lack power on this circuit, but that has not been the case. They have been a strong rival and we must expect them to remain so for the rest of the season.

However, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur appears intent on managing expectations. He dismissed suggestions that Ferrari is now in a championship fight, especially given their 78-point deficit to Mercedes in the constructors' standings. Vasseur emphasized a step-by-step approach, stating, "We have done a good weekend. Now let's focus on Spa. It is not that we are champions. We are nowhere. We are improving step by step."

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The fight for the championship are words from you. After Barcelona, they told me: “Ah, Ferrari is back in the championship fight.’ I said no.