Mercedes’ performance in the Canadian GP surprised everyone. In a season filled with miseries and struggles, Canada’s outcome was a rare occurrence. However, fans believed it was due to the outlier Montreal circuit, which helped the W15.
However, the Silver Arrows have proved the critics wrong with a brilliant exhibition in Barcelona. The Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished third and fourth in the Spanish GP. As a result, this was the best outcome for the team in 2024, as they carried forward the momentum. However, despite a decent performance, Toto Wolff pointed out a few shortcomings keeping Mercedes away from a race win.
Wolff Decodes Strategy Loopholes Which The Team Needs To Fix
In a post-race analysis of the Barcelona Grand Prix, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff reflected on the strategic decisions that impacted their performance. Wolff acknowledged that opting for the Hard tyres for George Russell was a miscalculation, admitting that the strategy was not optimal and attributing it to a team error. Further, he also mentioned a slow pit stop that cost them three seconds. When questioned whether Mercedes underestimated the viability of the soft tyres, Wolff explained that Russell’s difficulties with the hard tyres influenced the decision to extend Lewis Hamilton’s middle stint. Initially, the team believed the Hard tyres were the right choice, but they didn’t have any new Soft tyres available, which might have provided an advantage for a few additional laps.
Moreover, Wolff highlighted that Hamilton could extend his stint and benefit from the revised approach once they realized the Hard tyre strategy faltered with Russell. Despite Hamilton finishing 15 seconds behind the leaders, the team principal noted that Hamilton was much closer when considering the race pace towards the end, suggesting a gap of around 10 seconds. He pointed out that Max Verstappen and Lando Norris were pushing hard, giving Mercedes reason for cautious optimism. Thus, Wolff believes the team is much closer to competing for wins and might be able to challenge for victory if they can bridge the remaining gap despite their rivals also introducing upgrades to their cars.
The Austrian executive concluded by reflecting on missed opportunities, mentioning that Mercedes could have potentially won in Montreal and Barcelona under the right conditions. However, he acknowledged that they may have underestimated their capabilities, leading to strategic missteps.
Lewis Hamilton Adamant To End ‘Race Win’ Drought For Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton discussed his chances of winning in a post-race interview during the Barcelona Grand Prix. He also emphasized the importance of completing his Mercedes career with a victory. Hamilton remarked on the team’s journey, emphasizing the value of consistency above outright triumphs.
He was pleased with the team’s improvement and hoped to constantly score points and increase their ranking. Further, Hamilton highlighted the team’s existing ability to contend for wins, recognizing that consistency in performance might lead to possibilities for triumph.