Chief Toto Wolff joined Mercedes in 2013, and under his leadership, the team reached a different height in F1. The one constant of his success in the sport with Mercedes has been Lewis Hamilton. Even the former McLaren driver joined Mercedes in 2013 along with Wolff. From 2014 to 2020, Lewis Hamilton won six driver’s world championships. He missed his chance in 2016, though. The seven-time champion had a formidable rival in the form of Nico Rosberg. Moreover, Rosberg never made it easy for Hamilton over the time period he was with Mercedes. They had a fierce internal rivalry. However, it was good for the sport.
It is because Mercedes ruled for almost seven years, and no team was close enough to beat them. Hence, there was not much competition from the other teams. It is very much the same scenario Red Bull is enjoying at present. However, Toto Wolff is not sure whose era has been more dominant, Mercedes’s or Red Bull’s. Albeit, there was some competition between the two Mercedes cars in those seven years, unlike Red Bull’s dominance. Moreover, the difference between the two eras is about the internal rivalries. However, Toto Wolff feels sad for the fans at present because his rival team is unable to make both their drivers and cars competitive enough.
Sergio Perez Is A Good Driver, But His Inconsistency Is Causing A Lack Of Entertainment, Feels Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff admits that Sergio Perez is a good driver but not consistent enough. At the beginning of the season, Checo raised hopes that the fans could expect a fierce rivalry between two Red Bull drivers. It makes sense because they have the most superior car at present. However, Sergio Perez faded away after winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It was a great achievement to win the race in Baku, Azerbaijan. He became the first driver to win two races in Baku. Everybody called Sergio Perez an expert in sprint races.
Since then, Checo has managed only three or four podium finishes. Moreover, he had trouble qualifying in the Q3 a couple of times. On the other hand, his teammate, Max Verstappen, went on to win eight races on the trot. The Dutchman has already got 45 career wins in Formula One. However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff feels, Max is a great racer, but it would be better for the sport if it had more competition from the dominant team. Like Mercedes had in those six-seven years. More entertainment comes from more excitement, and it is always what the sport needs.
Wolff Believes Mercedes Provided A Wholesome Entertainment In Their Dominant Period
Lewis Hamilton was the dominant driver of that turbo-hybrid era. But he faced plenty of competition from his fellow Mercedes drivers. On the other hand, Red Bull is enjoying dominance, depending only on Max Verstappen. Sergio Perez is not able to provide much competition. It is understandable that a team with a superior engine and car will dominate a particular era in the sport. But there are always two cars racing for a single team. Hence, fans can expect competition from those two cars and drivers.
Currently, fans are not getting that from Red Bull. But Toto Wolff points out that Mercedes always provided entertainment for the fans. Even though Lewis Hamilton won six titles, he had to face competition from Nico Rosberg and, later, Valtteri Bottas. Wolff argues that, unlike Verstappen, Hamilton never won eight races on the trot because the other Mercedes car was competitive enough consistently. Nico Rosberg, during his stint with Mercedes, always used to win at least five races every season, making it more challenging for Hamilton.
