Wolff: We have never taken success for granted

Mercedes are cruising to a fourth consecutive constructors' world championship and increasingly likely a fourth drivers' title too, but Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is adamant that despite the success his team take nothing for granted and admits he is wary of the problems that have affected their pace in resent races.

Speaking ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka, Wolff said, “In sport, it's in the tough times that you really see the strength of a team."

Our championships in the past three years have come because we have never taken success for granted and, even in the good times, we were able to put our finger in the wound and work on our weaknesses."

"After Malaysia, we have found ourselves doing the same: analysing our problems, beginning to understand their causes and working on solutions."

“However, this is not the work of a moment. While we work to improve in those areas, we must not forget the many strengths we have shown this season."

"Our car has taken more pole positions and race wins than any other and we lead both championships - thanks both to the strength of our own performances and, in part, the misfortune of our rivals. But every point counts, no matter how they come to us."

Despite the so called problems, Lewis Hamilton has won three of the last four races and after trailing in the championship standings until Monza, has now turned the tables on title rival Sebastian Vettel, as the Briton now leads by 34 points with five rounds remaining.

Wolff acknowledged, “Lewis has made the most of every opportunity in recent weeks; he has been in fantastic form, particularly since the summer break, and is driving with a perfect balance of aggression right now."

But the same cannot be said for Valtteri Bottas who has been comprehensively overshadowed by his teammate and by his own admission needing to raise his game urgently.

"It has been a more challenging picture for Valtteri and it is a priority for us to give him the car he needs to perform - and to help him extract everything from it. It is not an easy time right now but this is the time for his strength of character, work ethic and natural talent to shine through," added Wolff.

Smart money is on the Silver Arrows bouncing back and setting the pace at Suzuka, a venue and conditions likely to suit the Mercedes - but as seen Singapore and Malaysia nothing can be assumed in Formula 1.

“The next challenge comes in the form of Suzuka," said Wolff. "A circuit which will ask very different questions of our car than Sepang. In the last years, we have performed very strongly there. But recent weeks have reminded us that historic form counts for little with these 2017 cars and tyres."

"It is a circuit which rewards Grand Prix cars and drivers performing at their very best - and we expect a very close fight between ourselves, Ferrari and Red Bull."

“As a team, our targets for the final quarter of the season are very clear. It is entirely in our hands to make sure we achieve them,” concluded Wolff.

Heading to Japan, for Round 16 of the F1 World Championship, Mercedes top the constructors standings on 503 points, with Ferrari a massive 118 points behind. Hamilton leads the drivers' standings with 281 points to Vettel's 247.