Toto Wolff: “We need to bounce back” as Mercedes chases second place | F1 Mexico GP. Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull are separated by just 10 points.

Chasing second place

The United States Grand Prix was a weekend to forget for Mercedes. The Silver Arrows celebrated George Russell’s second place in the Sprint, but on Sunday the team had to watch Max Verstappen claim victory, alongside strong performances from the two Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull and Ferrari are Mercedes’ main rivals in the battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. After the results in Texas, the three teams are separated by only 10 points, with Toto Wolff’s squad currently in the lead.

Wolff focuses on redemption in Mexico

The veteran team principal outlined Mercedes’ approach to the Mexican Grand Prix, emphasizing the need to recover after a disappointing weekend in Austin: “There are five races left in the season, and only 10 points separate second from fourth in the Constructors’ Championship,” Wolff said. “We had a disappointing result in Austin, and our rivals gained ground on us. This weekend in Mexico, however, we have the opportunity to bounce back immediately. It will be a battle all the way to the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi, and that is something that excites us.”

Fred Vesti in FP1

Wolff also confirmed that reserve driver Fred Vesti will be in the car for FP1, replacing George Russell: “Mexico City presents a unique challenge. The high altitude puts the brakes and power unit under stress, while the thin air requires a setup with high aerodynamic load. Our reserve driver Fred Vesti will be at the wheel for FP1, completing his second rookie session this year. He will contribute to our program, as he does every time he drives. The field is very competitive, but we hope to achieve a better result than what we saw a few days ago in Texas.”