A balance struck between disappointment and satisfaction with the work done. Toto Wolff analyzed the challenging weekend in Austin for Mercedes, which debuted an evo version of the W15.
The Austin Grand Prix left mixed feelings within the Mercedes garage, with the Mercedes team boss commenting on the tough weekend for the W15. George Russell had an excellent race, securing an encouraging sixth place. In contrast, it was a nightmare for the other box, with Lewis Hamilton making an unusual mistake that compromised his race early on.
“It was a difficult weekend overall,” Toto Wolff said right after the race. “On Friday, we saw that the car had the pace to be competitive, but the consistency of performance was our weak point, as shown in both qualifying and the race. This issue is not unique to us, as other teams have been inconsistent throughout the season, but we must focus on improving for the last five races.” – he pointed out.
One of the key highlights of the day was George Russell‘s recovery. Starting from the pit lane due to a change in car specifications, the British driver showed great speed and strategic ability, gaining several positions. However, doubts have emerged about the capabilities of the new package, as George Russell raced with the Singapore version.
“George had a really solid race,” Toto Wolff commented. “The team worked hard to prepare the car after the changes yesterday, and he made the most of the hard tires, extending the first stint smartly. This allowed him to secure an excellent sixth place in the closing laps. His pace was very competitive, and this is one of the positive takeaways from today.” – the Mercedes team principal added.
However, Lewis Hamilton‘s day was marked by an unexpected incident in the early stages of the race. “Unfortunately, it was a disappointing day for Lewis,” Wolff explained. “He wasn’t pushing to the limit, but a combination of a gust of wind and the dirty air from the car in front caused him to go off track. Lewis is not the type of driver who loses control of the car on the second lap, so we need to analyze thoroughly what happened, especially after George’s similar incident yesterday. There is clearly something to understand about the car’s behavior.”
Toto Wolff concluded with an eye on the future, emphasizing the need to improve the car’s consistency in the upcoming races. “Now our focus is on analyzing the data and understanding where we can improve. We still have five races ahead of us, and we have no intention of giving up.” – he concluded.
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