Wolff expects strong Mercedes threat from Ferrari, Red Bull in Mexico

Mercedes Formula 1 chief Toto Wolff says the team will need to be at the top of its game if Lewis Hamilton is to wrap up his fourth Formula 1 drivers' title in Mexico this weekend as Ferrari and Red Bull pose a bigger threat than at other races.

While the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City is largely a high-speed circuit with one of the longest straights on the F1 calendar, as it is over 2,000 metres above sea level, the thin air means a high-downforce setup is used.

Ferrari and Red Bull have impressed at high-downforce tracks this season such as Monaco, Hungary and Singapore, meaning that while Hamilton only needs a top-five finish to clinch the title, Wolff is wary of his chances heading into the weekend.

"Our target may be clear, but it will not be easy to achieve this weekend in Mexico. This is an unusual circuit where the cars run at maximum downforce owing to the high altitude," Wolff said.

"Some of our most difficult weekends this season have come with the car running at maximum downforce, so we expect a tough and close-fought battle with both Ferrari and Red Bull. It will be important to be at the very top of our game if we want to get the job done. 

"Although the constructors' title is now secure, we are only halfway to hitting our objectives for the season. When we set our targets at the start of the year, it was to become the only team to win both championships across a major regulation change.

"We now have to complete that job with Lewis, who is in the best possible position with three races remaining. We know that anything can happen in this sport, and that the tables can be turned on you very quickly

"So there will be no let off in our vigilance and attention to detail in these final rounds. We will be racing to win."