Wolff: Don't base expectations on past successes

      Toto Wolff commented on the results of the first practice in Las Vegas, where the Mercedes drivers ended up ninth and tenth on the timing sheet, and also touched on several other topics important at this stage of the season.

      Question: What was learned during the first practice?

      Toto Wolff: Of course, the track is very dirty, but it is very difficult to assess the quality of the information gathered, because with every subsequent five minutes the level of grip increased and the speeds rose. It is encouraging that on long runs we showed a decent pace. Now we need to figure out what the picture will be in single-lap mode.

      Question: After George Russell’s win at this circuit last year, I suppose you must have high expectations? Lewis Hamilton was still driving for Mercedes then and finished second, although he started from 10th…

      Toto Wolff: If only we knew what gave us that success back then!.. You shouldn't build expectations based on last year's results; it's not only difficult but even risky, because that success was a surprise to us. As you can see this year, the picture has become more balanced, because all the teams have sorted out the issues that were holding them back last season, so one shouldn't expect that story to repeat itself.

      At this stage of the championship, when the regulations have remained stable for several years, it is quite possible that the results of ten cars could fit into literally three or four tenths of a second.

      Question: I suppose you’re pleased with Kimi Antonelli’s progress, since in São Paulo he made the podium for the second time in his debut season, finishing second?

      Toto Wolff: Yes, it is very pleasing to see his progress; he is also starting the weekend quite confidently now, even though he has never been to Las Vegas before. Kimi immediately shows a decent pace, and that confirms that he has already adapted to this car and settled into Formula 1.

      No one in the team's leadership had any doubts that we made the right decision in bringing Kimi in, although, probably, at times during the season it was somewhat tougher for him than he expected. But that's a normal trajectory, and we always knew that despite the difficulties he would eventually reach a good level. And next year the cars will be new for everyone.

      Question: From session to session the level of grip on the Las Vegas track will rise quickly — can it be compared to Monaco in this respect?

      Toto Wolff: Yes, although probably the situation is even worse here, because the track is dirtier — you saw the clouds of dust billowing behind the cars. Here they are clearly larger than in Monaco, because Las Vegas is located in the middle of the desert.

      Question: What can you say about preparations for 2026? Is everything going as it should? Will you be able to fight for wins next season?

      Toto Wolff: That's exactly the goal we are setting for ourselves, but you never know in advance what results you'll achieve. The new power unit is only one part of the equation, and it needs to be solved correctly — including creating an effective chassis — we hope we'll manage that. We set ourselves high targets, but have we chosen them correctly? Will our new car allow us to fight for wins? There is no such certainty yet.

      The most important factor determining what the races will be like next year will be the right approach to energy storage and deployment. It is quite possible we will see overtakes in parts of circuits where they didn't happen before, and this new concept appeals to me and is also interesting to the drivers. Let's hope we see exciting battles next year.

      Question: I suppose Christmas in your family this year will be truly happy and merry, since you sold part of your shares in the team for a very impressive sum. Mercedes‑AMG F1 is now worth more than the football club Liverpool and only slightly behind Manchester United…

      Toto Wolff: I think that demonstrates that development is heading in the right direction, that the teams' economics are stable, and they are becoming profitable companies. Such a high valuation of Mercedes's assets didn't come out of thin air. If you look at the growth of our revenues, at our financial flows, it becomes clear that we are probably among the top five, if not the top three, most profitable teams in the world — and that's why valuations are so high. These figures are the result of many years of work, and Formula 1 as a whole has now reached a very good level.