Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has insisted that it would be premature to label the team as a title contender in Formula 1, despite a promising start to the 2025 campaign.
The German marque’s impressive opening to the season continued at the Chinese Grand Prix as George Russell made it successive podiums with another third place.
With Andrea Kimi Antonelli also classified inside the top six, Mercedes’ points haul in Shanghai consolidated the side’s position as the closest challenger to McLaren.
That was also realised on track as Russell split the McLaren cars on the grid and then replicated the result that he picked up at the season-opening round in Australia.
But although he couldn’t trouble the McLaren duo in the race, Russell’s drive provided Wolff with enthusiasm that its rival’s advantage isn’t as big as he had suspected.
“Today they [McLaren] had maybe two-tenths of a second ahead of us,” Wolff told Sky Germany.
“And considering the fact that our car didn’t work at all on Friday, that was a good step.
“You can make up two-tenths, even three-tenths. The way it was in Melbourne, it was too much.”
Indeed, McLaren’s margin over the competition in Albert Park had prompted Russell to assert that the team could pivot attention to 2026 now and still win both titles.
But while both McLaren drivers rubbished his statement, Wolff has argued Russell had grounds to come to that conclusion based on the Woking-based squad’s pace.
“After Melbourne, this statement was entirely understandable,” he said.
“Today we were closer. But we need to do a thorough analysis after a few race weekends to see where we really stand.”
Wolff has urged Mercedes to remain grounded about the side’s overall competitiveness until a clearer picture of the pecking order is assembled in the races to come.
“We should not fluctuate between euphoria and frustration, but rather create a solid foundation after a few races and say: This is the current state of affairs.”
Wolff tempers Mercedes expectations
The Austrian adopted that precise mindset when he was asked whether Mercedes could now begin to be considered a permanent threat at the sharp end once again.
“I wouldn’t say we’re really in the title race yet,” Wolff, whose Mercedes team lies 21 points behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, said.
“If you look at [Oscar] Piastri – of course it’s a bit easier to drive up front and manage the tyres. But we’re not far behind.
“We were the second-strongest team today, and that’s a solid result for us.”
Mercedes has ideal base to catch McLaren
But having eradicated the inconsistent quirks that blighted the W16’s predecessors, Wolff is content that Mercedes boasts a strong platform to chase down McLaren.
“The basis of our car is stable. If we make changes to a mechanical component, a wing, or the aerodynamics, they react as we expect,” he explained.
“But we have to remain realistic: We’re not yet where we want to be. We won’t be satisfied until we’re winning races again and fighting for championships.
“But there’s no such thing as guaranteed success – you have to work for it. And that’s precisely the exciting journey that lies ahead of us.”
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