After a problematic debut for the team’s long-awaited new aerodynamic package on F1’s return to Malaysia earlier this month, only Antonelli ran the upgrades last time out in Singapore while Russell, who carried a grid penalty for the main race into that weekend, reverting to the pre-Sepang version so the team could compare the two on track.
Antonelli had started the Sprint weekend in Singapore on the back foot compared to Russell but his competitiveness improved as the event progressed and he finished third in the race, with Wolff suggesting afterwards that the team were leaning towards running both cars with the new specification in Austin.
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The Mercedes team principal has now confirmed that plan in the team’s event preview ahead of a race weekend that Antonelli could clinch the world title.
“Malaysia and Singapore were difficult weekends for us and we have worked hard to understand where we fell short,” said Wolff.
“Austin gives us an opportunity to respond. We will run our latest update package on both cars as we continue to develop the car.
“The field is incredibly close, so we need to keep moving forward if we want to fight consistently at the front in the closing stages of the season.”
Despite not challenging for victory in either Malaysia or Singapore, with Max Verstappen taking back-to-back wins for a resurgent Red Bull, Mercedes remain firmly on course to secure a world championship double this year with six rounds of the season left.
Antonelli would clinch his maiden Drivers’ Championship as earlier as this Sunday if he wins and team-mate Russell fails to finish in the top eight and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton is not in the top four.
Mercedes’ 134-point lead over Ferrari at the top of the Constructors’ Championship, meanwhile, means the Silver Arrows could be in a title-winning position for that title as early as next week’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Wolff says his team will continue to take things one step at a time.
“The United States Grand Prix begins another demanding triple-header,” added Wolff.
“There is plenty at stake, but we won’t get ahead of ourselves. The priority is the weekend in front of us: execute well, maximise our performance and take each race as it comes.”
Mercedes will run a revised livery for the second time in three races in Austin, with blue added to the W17s to highlight the car company’s MANUFAKTUR personalisation programme.
Sky Sports F1’s live United States GP schedule
Thursday October 22
6.25pm: F1 Academy Practice
8pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
10.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
11.10pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday October 23
6pm: United States Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Show
9.45pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 10pm)*
11.50pm: F1 Academy Race 1*
Saturday October 24
6.15pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
8.30pm: United States Grand Prix Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
12am: F1 Academy Race 2*
12.45am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday October 25
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 heads to The Americas for another triple-header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
