Hamilton “hungry”, Bottas “reset” for Mercedes return – Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says both his drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are ready for the 2019 Formula 1 world championship as it targets an unprecedented feat.

Speaking ahead of Mercedes’ 2019 team launch tomorrow (February 13), Wolff has confirmed his teams’ preparations for the new season are on schedule despite the regulation tweaks and additional changes for the upcoming campaign.

Following a low-key winter for both his drivers, Wolff has been impressed by the response of Hamilton and Bottas as he predicts “strong competition” between the two this year.

Hamilton somewhat dominated against Bottas last year on his way to a fifth F1 world title with 11 wins as the Finn failed to reach the top step of the rostrum in 2019.

“I’ve seen both drivers after the winter break and it was a winter break that was necessary as last season was so intense,” Wolff said. “Lewis has come back refreshed, arched up, with a lot of muscle and is very hungry.

“Valtteri had a reset and I think it was important for him to go away and reflect on things. He is a super strong part of the team and he has the backing of the team. I am really looking forward to some strong competition between the two of them and obviously against our competitors.”

Despite Wolff forecasting a promising start for Mercedes he also expects the defending F1 world champions not to take anything for granted in its bid for a historic world title double.

Mercedes can become the first F1 team in history to secure six consecutive double drivers’ and constructors’ crowns and surpass the feat of five in a row its shares with Ferrari (2000-2004).

“Five double championships is obviously more than we could have ever expected,” he said. “But every season starts with zero points.

“There is nothing, no credit, you can take from previous seasons into the new one. This is why we embrace every new season with the same motivation and hunger as before.”