We know where we went wrong

Lewis Hamilton set fastest lap on newer tires, but mistakes cost him any chance at victory

Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff says his team knows where it has gone wrong over the last two race weekends and is hopeful of bouncing back in Singapore.

After taking a run of four consecutive pole positions and a series of strong finishes, including a win in Hungary before the summer break, Mercedes was off the pace of rivals Red Bull and Ferrari this weekend in Italy. The last two races have required a low-drag aerodynamic package and Mercedes has not been entirely happy with its latest updates compared to the high-downforce specification of the car in Hungary.

"You can't expect to be there all the time and we know where we went wrong over the last two weekends and it's a matter of improving," Wolff said. "Overall I'm still very satisfied although now there is some pain.

"There is obviously always the danger that momentum stalls but I don't think that's the case in our team. We have the momentum and you can't expect to be on pole every race and on the podium every race looking at where we came from last year. The momentum is still there, everybody is really motivated and we are enjoying ourselves. Sometimes it just needs a little kick to get you back on track, but I am satisfied."

Asked if Ferrari now has a quicker car, Wolff added: "It's a tricky one. At the two last races, which were low downforce, I would say yes because this is what the result shows us. But we just didn't get it right from the Friday on, and it's a matter of getting it right from Singapore onwards."

Wolff confirmed there would be new updates for Singapore and Korea as Mercedes continues with its original plan to keep some resources on the 2013 car. However, he admitted the team's chances of winning the constructors' or the drivers' title are slim.

"You can never give up anything in Formula One and the past shows that within a couple of races things can change. But I think it's a pretty unrealistic task to be heading for any championship at this stage." ESPN.co.uk