Wolff: Wins sweeter after qualifying "slaps" from Ferrari
Toto Wolff says his Mercedes Formula 1 team’s recent victories feel like a “great reward” given the “occasional slaps” it is receiving from Ferrari in qualifying.
A Ferrari has started from pole position in every race since the summer break, while Mercedes last topped a qualifying session in Germany in July.
However, Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have still managed to win the last three grands prix between them.
Wolff said: “On raw pace they [Ferrari] have the quickest package at the moment. But Sundays don’t seem to come together for them.
“We like it. We are hungry to continue as we’ve done. Maybe getting these occasional slaps in qualifying helps to improve.”
Asked by Motorsport.com if those “slaps” made the wins extra satisfying for Mercedes, Wolff replied: “Yeah, I think it is great reward for the team to still be able to put together a team and performance that put us in position that we’re able to win the races on Sunday when it matters.
“But it still doesn’t feel great when you know you’re not able to qualify in front.”
Mercedes last defeated Ferrari in qualifying in the Hungarian Grand Prix in the summer break, with Ferrari quickest in five of the six qualifying sessions since then.
Though Charles Leclerc won from pole position in Belgium and Italy and Sebastian Vettel won in Singapore, Ferrari threw away its qualifying advantage in Russia, Japan and Mexico.
At the last race in Mexico, Mercedes outgunnned Ferrari on strategy and Hamilton was able to vault from fifth on the road to score his 10th win of the season.
Wolff said: “I think it’s not only about being more clever. We have a very strong race car on the Sunday, with a lot of pace. This is the reason we’re able to overcut or undercut.
“Great drivers and good strategy you add that and that gave us these three victories. [But] clearly we’re missing something on pace on Saturday.”
Race winner Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 crosses the finish line
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton “lucky to make it round” after Spanish GP brake failure
F1 Spanish GP at Madring: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Why McLaren won’t blame F1 race control for lost Spanish GP victory
Williams tipped for "huge step" forward at Azerbaijan GP with major upgrade
George Russell told to turn focus to 2027 as title bid branded "a write-off" after Spanish GP
His worst races would be enough: The remarkable stats behind Kimi Antonelli’s title hopes
Why Lando Norris doesn’t buy George Russell’s driving style theory
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Audi’s long road back to the top of grand prix racing
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments