Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is finally happy that the team performed very well in Barcelona. However, he is also aware that there is so much work still to do. At the end of the day, the previous constructor’s champions want to retain what was once theirs. From 2014 to 2021, Mercedes was the sole winner of the constructor’s title for seven straight years. But it changed last year due to the poor W13 car with no side pods. The team had no success last year with W13 except in Brazil. But the victory in Brazil did ruin their plans for changing the design of the car.
Hence, Mercedes stuck with the same zero-side pod design and paid the price for it. Toto Wolff also acknowledged while talking to Sky Sports that, “As the season started, the team realized that they wouldn’t go much further if they continue with the same concept.” Adding to that, the boss said the realization really shook them apart. However, Toto Wolff also mentioned that perhaps they needed it to figure out the right direction.
Toto Wolff Explains How His Team Came Up With New Upgrades
After a difficult phase since last year, the Mercedes F1 team enjoyed the two-three finish. When fans praise Toto Wolff for the new upgrades and designs, the boss does not want to take any credit for that. Moreover, he told Sky Sports F1, “If I started designing cars, it wouldn’t be a good situation at all. Everybody sticks to what they do the best in the team.” On top of that, Toto Wolff mentioned that the credit and applause should go to the engineers and designers who worked tirelessly back in the Brackley factory. Speaking with Sky Deutschland, Toto Wolff explained how happy he is for the team.
There was much confusion about how to develop the car and all. But on the racing day, it did work out for Mercedes. Hence, the boss is happy. Moreover, Wolff mentioned that Sunday’s result was a big relief because it could have gone either way. Toto Wolff gave an instance when Max Verstappen was 15 or 16 seconds up, and Lewis Hamilton took his foot off the gas. That’s how a gap was created. The Mercedes boss explained it like a share price as it feels great when it rises. About the next Grand Prix in Canada, Toto Wolff mentioned, “That track suits Lewis, but our engines broke there last year.” Hence, Mercedes’s boss is trying to stay realistic.
There Is Hope For Mercedes After The Spanish Grand Prix
Moreover, after the Spanish Grand Prix this season, the Mercedes boss is glad that they are on the right track now. They have been waiting for new upgrades since the opening race in Bahrain. After the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix did not take place due to a terrible flood in Imola, Mercedes implemented new upgrades in Monaco. Albeit, it was not the ideal place to test modifications.
But the German team was happy with the results. However, next week in Spain, Mercedes displayed their best performance so far, gaining a double-podium. Lewis Hamilton earned his second P2 finish this season—his 193rd overall. On the other hand, George Russell gained his first podium finish this season.
