Toto Wolff draws difficult conclusion despite positive results for Mercedes

“We have made progress from last year,” according to Wolff. “With the W16 a more balanced car than its predecessor; we have scored some solid results, with four podiums in that run of races; and we have more work to do if we want to challenge for victories.”

In 2024, Mercedes won on four occasions, and the updates that are expected over the coming weeks can help the Germans make a step in that direction.

They hope they can improve their tyre management and have more downforce to challenge the current favourites, McLaren.

However, Wolff also underlined: “F1 is a relative game, though, and we know our competitors will make progress too. It will be interesting to see how that plays out on track."

After claiming pole position in Sprint Qualifying in Miami, a special weekend awaits Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Italian rookie is from Bologna, the largest city in the Emilia-Romagna region.

The Austrian team principal will not be present in Imola. Ahead of the 2025 season, it was revealed that Wolff will not travel to every F1 weekend.

This will be the second time he will be absent in the current season, after he was not present at the Japanese Grand Prix either.

Team representative Bradley Lord will be the German's point of contact at the Emilia-Romagna GP.