Toto Wolff insists Mercedes will not be backing off at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as it prepares for its "biggest test yet" in 2016.
Mercedes has already wrapped up the constructors' championship, while Lewis Hamilton secured a second straight drivers' title at the U.S. Grand Prix. Though it has enjoyed another comfortable year out in front Ferrari has noticeably closed the gap and Maurizio Arrivabene has recently declared the Italian team expects to be ahead of the world champions next year.
Wolff says Mercedes is ready for the challenge and wants Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to lay down a marker at the front with another fight for victory at Yas Marina.
"We can all be extremely proud of what we have achieved in 2015," Wolff said. "To raise the bar from 2014 was always going to be a huge challenge -- but everybody at Brackley, Brixworth and Stuttgart has taken on that challenge exceptionally well.
"While we celebrate a job well done this time around, however, the next challenge will be upon us before we know it. 2016 will undoubtedly provide our biggest test yet as a group. We will not be backing off -- and an entertaining battle at the front between our boys for one last time in 2015 will be the ideal way to show that."
Another one-two this weekend will see Mercedes finish with 703 points, two more than it achieved last year with the controversial double points finale at Abu Dhabi. Mercedes came into that race last year with both drivers vying for the championship and the team's executive director (technical) Paddy Lowe is grateful for less pressure this time around.
"It's a different scenario for us compared to last year as we don't have a showdown for the drivers' championship -- which made this an incredibly tense weekend for everyone involved," Lowe said. "This time around, we approach the weekend with a little less pressure and can look to enjoy the racing a bit more - but hopefully with a good battle between Lewis and Nico to sign off for the year in style. Lewis has always been very strong at this track, while Nico has been on a rich run of form over the past few races. So, the stage is set for an entertaining evening under the lights."