Toto Wolff Reflects on a Challenging Hungarian GP for Mercedes
Mercedes had a rough time in Hungary, with Toto Wolff acknowledging that the team was always on the back foot. Despite the setbacks, Kimi Antonelli secured a podium finish, but Wolff believes they could have done better.
The Hungarian Grand Prix was anything but smooth sailing for Mercedes, as noted by Team Principal Toto Wolff, who described the weekend as 'not great.' Mercedes, usually a dominant force, found themselves chasing their competitors throughout the event.
Kimi Antonelli managed to finish in third, salvaging some pride for the team, while George Russell battled back to seventh after a problematic start. Russell's initial launch was hampered by an issue that wasn't of his making, leaving him to fall to P19 by the end of the opening lap. Wolff explained, "It looks like he gave about 10% throttle, and the whole thing revved maximum." Russell's recovery drive was commendable, as he navigated traffic to claw back crucial points.
The weekend started on a shaky note when Antonelli's car was handed over to Fred Vesti for FP1, leaving the Italian with less track time. This, coupled with the tricky conditions, meant neither driver could maximize the car's potential.
Antonelli initially qualified fourth but was handed a three-place grid penalty for not slowing under yellow flags during Q3. Meanwhile, Russell's woes continued with a water leak during Qualifying, raising concerns about potential engine damage.
Reflecting on the weekend, Wolff commented, "Missing FP1 wasn't ideal. We didn't get the set-ups right, and it was always a catch-up game." Despite the difficulties, Wolff acknowledged the drivers' efforts, especially Antonelli's defensive driving against Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes, already beaten this season by Hamilton in Spain and Charles Leclerc at Silverstone, found themselves out of the running for a win in Hungary. Despite the setbacks, Antonelli's third-place finish allowed him to extend his lead in the Drivers' Championship by 50 points over Hamilton and 59 over Russell. Mercedes also maintains a healthy 72-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors' standings.
In summary, while the Hungarian GP was far from perfect for Mercedes, Wolff sees room for improvement. With Antonelli leading the championship and a solid advantage in the Constructors' standings, the team will aim to bounce back stronger in the upcoming races.