Toto Wolff has implored Mercedes to keep its focus off the back of last weekend’s 1-2 finish at its home event in Germany, accepting it did not possess the fastest car.
Mercedes suffered a difficult Saturday at Hockenheim as Sebastian Vettel comfortably beat Valtteri Bottas to pole position, while Lewis Hamilton suffered a hydraulic failure that relegated him to 14th on the grid.
But its fortunes turned around on Sunday as Hamilton rose through the field to triumph in a rain-affected race, followed home by Bottas, with Vettel crashing out 15 laps from the end.
It left Hamilton back in the lead of the Drivers’ Championship, 17 points clear of Vettel, with Mercedes grabbing the advantage in the Constructors’ battle, eight in front of Ferrari.
Wolff, though, has warned against complacency as Formula 1 heads to the Hungarian Grand Prix, an event won only once by Mercedes since the hybrid era began in 2014.
“We've had our fair share of bad luck this season, but it felt like our fortunes turned around in Hockenheim,” said Wolff.
“A 1-2 is always a great result; to get it on Mercedes home turf after starting from P2 and P14 on the grid was absolutely incredible.
“However, in the cold light of day, we also know and recognise that we did not bring the quickest car to Hockenheim.
“We've passed the halfway point of the season and we lead both championships by very close margins.
“We all know that no prizes are given out for half-time champions, so we will keep pushing to improve our performance.
“Hungary will see another tough fight with both Ferrari and Red Bull. It's a high downforce track and on paper they should both be very fast in Budapest.
“However, if there's one thing the German Grand Prix taught us, it's the fact that predictions don't determine race results.”
