Wolff: I think Ferrari are very innovative

Such is the step up in the gain in performance of the SF71H that a frustrated Lewis Hamilton pointed to "trick things" on the car that had Mercedes trailing Ferrari in top speed and traction out of corners, with superior tyre use to boot.

Wolff explained, "It is human nature that if you’re being outperformed on track, you’re looking at yourself where it is lacking and then it’s looking at your competitors and if you haven’t got an explanation, you’re trying to imagine all the nasty things."

These "nasty things" were alluded to by Hamilton's post-race "trick things" remark which was immediately rebuked by race director Charlie Whiting who pointed out that the difference between the two teams was simply that the Reds were doing the better job.

Wolff has no doubts about the rule-makers, "I haven’t got any information, but I have real faith in the FIA. Everyone will try to innovate and find additional performance and, as far as I’m concerned, are doing the right things."

The Mercedes chief respects the progress Ferrari have made, “I think they are very innovative. There are things on the car that they have been developing… they have continued to develop their car and add performance every single race for the last four or five races and that’s it."

"I would hope we have innovations on the car, rather than tricks, and on the engine. You need to continue to find performance on the car and on the engine. We made a decent step this weekend and I’m happy with what we’ve seen on track."

"Now we have to optimize the package and calibration. I expect this to continue and equally on the chassis."

Monza should be another good upgrade that we will put on the car and this is a performance race and that will make all the difference between winning and losing this championship," added Wolff ahead the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Round 13 of the 21-race championship.