Wolff: We are relishing the fight with Ferrari

During Wolff's absence from the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix , due to knee surgery, Ferrari outscored Mercedes by four points and closed the gap to them down to 20 points.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fourth and sixth respectively, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished fifth and seventh, and with Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur vowing to take the fight to Mercedes for the second spot behind Red Bull in the F1 Constructors' Championship, Wolff insists his team will fight back, as they revealed certain aspects of their W14 will still be upgraded in 2023.

Speaking in Mercedes' preview of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, Wolff began: "We knew our pace in Japan wouldn't match what we had been able to show in Singapore.

"They are very different circuits and the characteristics of Suzuka highlighted the weaknesses of the W14," he claimed.

"It was therefore important that we limited the damage to Ferrari in the Championship. With six races to go, we are relishing the fight and will be giving it our all to stay ahead, starting this weekend in Qatar," he insisted.

"We return to Lusail for the first time since 2021," said of this weekend's grand prix around Losail Circuit. "The inaugural Grand Prix there was a successful one for us, so we are looking forward to going back. With its sweeping turns, it's a demanding circuit and one the drivers also enjoy.

"Since our last visit, there have been changes both on and off track," the Austrian pointed out. "A key feature of FP1 therefore will be understanding the effect of the track resurfacing. As it is a Sprint weekend, we will have limited time to get on top of this and find a solid set-up for the rest of the event.

"It will be an interesting task and one we are excited for," Wolff concluded.

Hamilton won the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix in 2021 from then rival Max Verstappen. The latter is targeting to secure his third consecutive F1 Drivers' Crown this weekend in Qatar.