Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has downplayed any controversy surrounding Daniel Ricciardo’s fastest lap at the Singapore Grand Prix, defending Red Bull’s decision to pit the Australian driver late in the race, which denied McLaren’s Lando Norris the extra championship point.
Norris dominated the Singapore GP, setting the fastest lap until Red Bull called Ricciardo into the pits for a third time to fit fresh soft tires. Already at the back of the pack, Ricciardo used his new tires to snatch the fastest lap on the final lap, ensuring Norris missed out on the additional point.
Wolff Dismisses ‘Dirty Play’ Claims
McLaren team principal Zak Brown hinted at concerns regarding Red Bull’s involvement, given their ownership of the team, and vowed to question the decision. However, Wolff defended the strategy, asserting that it was within the rules and not an example of foul play.
“I think you’re going to probably play all strategies that you have,” Wolff said. “I don’t think it was a dirty play, not at all. It could come down to a point, it was within the regulations. The drivers weren’t unfair with each other. I think it’s just an extra point. No big deal.”
Wolff’s comments suggest that strategic decisions like Ricciardo’s late pit stop are part and parcel of Formula 1, especially when teams have the opportunity to gain a marginal advantage within the regulations.
Mercedes Struggles in Singapore: A Painful Reality Check
While addressing the Ricciardo-Norris incident, Wolff was also focused on his own team’s issues. Mercedes had a challenging race, finishing fourth and sixth with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, respectively, after starting from the second row. Wolff described the outcome as “painful,” highlighting ongoing struggles with the car’s pace on hot, high-degradation circuits.
“It was a really painful, painful evening,” Wolff reflected. “It’s not about when you look at the positions, fourth and sixth – that’s not good, especially when you’re starting second and third. The car is just… we struggle at the moment with tracks that are hot and tough on traction.”
Mercedes’ performance woes were evident as their cars fell behind the race leaders, leaving Wolff to lament the pace deficit. “If your quickest car is a minute behind the leader then it’s just difficult to accept,” he said, pointing to broader issues that overshadowed any strategic missteps.
Hamilton’s Strategy Misfire: A Lesson Learned
Hamilton’s race was further complicated by an unusual strategy call that saw him start on soft tires from third place, a decision that backfired as the tires degraded rapidly. Wolff admitted the team misread the race, basing their decision on historical patterns of limited overtaking opportunities at Singapore, similar to Monaco.
“We took a decision based on historic Singapore races where it’s basically a procession like Monaco, and that the soft tire would give him an opportunity at the start as pretty much the only overtaking opportunity,” Wolff explained. “And that was the wrong decision that we all took together jointly.”
Wolff acknowledged that while the strategy had a logical basis, it ultimately proved counterproductive as rear tire degradation set in, forcing Hamilton backward through the field. “It felt like a good offset, but with the rear tire degradation that we had, there was just one way, and that was backwards,” he said.
Looking Ahead: Mercedes’ Path to Recovery
Wolff emphasized that strategy errors, while disappointing, were not the sole reason for Mercedes’ underperformance in Singapore. The core issue remains the car’s lack of pace, particularly on circuits that challenge the team’s setup and traction capabilities. “When a car is too slow, you’re too slow,” Wolff stated bluntly, underscoring that tactical adjustments alone cannot mask fundamental speed deficiencies.
As the season enters its final stages, Mercedes faces a critical task: refining its approach and finding solutions to its ongoing performance struggles. The team’s focus will be on addressing car development and strategic execution to close the gap to its competitors and finish the season on a stronger note.
