Mercedes achieves consecutive podiums in Formula 1. Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes team, acknowledges that there is still a lack of necessary speed to win races in 2024. This admission comes after another podium at the Spanish Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton, starting in third place on the grid, secured his first appearance on the podium since October of last year. The race saw a glimmer of hope for Mercedes when George Russell took the lead after a clash between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. However, Verstappen quickly regained his position and Norris overtook both Mercedes drivers with fresher tires. Hamilton eventually overtook his teammate to secure the final position on the podium. Wolff admitted that the decision to have Russell pit earlier for harder tires was a mistake. He also suggested that Russell’s difficulties influenced Hamilton’s prolonged stay on the track.
Hamilton finished the race over 15 seconds behind Norris, who made a strong push at the end and finished 2.2 seconds behind the race winner, Verstappen.
Wolff argues that the final difference was exaggerated due to certain circumstances during the race and believes that Mercedes can take encouragement from the relative difference.
“If we consider where Lewis was, 15 seconds behind the leaders, but he was slowing down at the end, so let’s say 10 seconds, then it’s much closer,” he analyzed.
“Max and Norris weren’t holding back. So, there are reasons to cautiously believe that we are much closer and can fight.”
However, despite the progress the team has made to return to competing at the front, Wolff insists that Mercedes is three tenths of a lap behind Red Bull and McLaren.
When asked if a victory is possible in the near future, the Austrian replied: “Based on what we saw yesterday and today, the difference is probably about three tenths for these two teams.”
“That’s what we need to recover and if we can do that, considering that they have also made improvements to their cars, maybe we can compete for the win.”
“But that is still not under our control. In Montreal, under the conditions there, we could have won. But maybe we were surprised and that’s why we missed the opportunity there.”
© 2024
