Wolff: This year has shown that anything is possible

As it stands, Max Verstappen leads Lewis Hamilton by 12 points with five rounds to go, starting with this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix which Mercedes, their seven-time world champion in particular, have to win or at least beat Red Bull and of course Max.

Mercedes can ill afford the points gap to widen. Mexico City is the first of the do-or-die races for the World Champions, another defeat could end the double-eight dream.

Previewing the weekend ahead at Autodromo Hermanos Rodrguez, Wolff reflected on the recent United States Grand Prix: "The last race in Texas was more proof of just how intense this championship battle is.

"It's challenging, it's pushing both teams to higher levels and the positive pressure we're putting on ourselves is making this a hugely enjoyable fight. We wouldn't have it any other way.

"Lewis put together a perfectly executed charge on the alternative strategy, to try and snatch the win away from a very quick Max. It wasn't enough in the end, but we know that we gave it our all and Lewis was relentless in his chase for the win.

"Valtteri drove very well after starting in a tricky position because of the grid penalty, which was the right call for us to make for the remaining five races. He gained positions, scored some good points and that was useful for us in the Constructors' battle."

Round 17 of the championship moves south from Texas to Mexico, absent from the calendar last year, with a massive F1 fan base eager to welcome F1 again: "We're all excited to be back in Mexico City, it's such a vibrant place, full of character and we always receive a warm welcome. We're looking forward to being back there and the atmosphere at the track is always electric."

While Hamilton trails Verstappen by a dozen points in the 2021 F1 drivers' standings, Mercedes are 23 ahead in the F1 constructors' championship race.

Mexico is expected to suit the Red Bull package, but Wolff believes anything can happen, in this performance see-saw of a season between the two contending teams: "Red Bull have gone well there in the past and it hasn't been our strongest circuit.

"But this year has shown that anything is possible and circuits where you were previously weak, you are suddenly strong, and vice versa. So, it adds a layer of unknown in the build-up, which only increases the excitement.

"We'll keep taking things race by race and preparing the best we can, and we'll land in Mexico ready to hit the ground running on Friday, get a good understanding of the car's performance and build from there," added Wolff.

Mercedes are seeking their eight consecutive F1 constructors' title, while Hamilton is hunting a record-breaking eight too, his sixth with Mercedes after the first he scored as a McLaren driver in 2008.