“Racing Gods were against us,” Toto Wolff laments Mercedes’s disappointing British GP qualifiers despite the major upgrade

Mercedes were outclassed by their customer team, McLaren at the British GP.


“Racing Gods were against us,” Toto Wolff laments Mercedes’s disappointing British GP qualifiers despite the major upgrade

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (Via IMAGO)

Mercedes entered the Silverstone race equipped with significant upgrades, yet their hopes were dashed as they found themselves once again out-qualified by their rivals. To compound matters, even the previously sluggish McLarens managed to outshine the German outfit, adding salt to their wounds.

Lewis Hamilton qualified seventh with his teammate, George Russell in sixth. Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes, bemoaned their misfortune, expressing, “The racing gods were against us because ‘we could have been,’ but could have been doesn’t count in this sport.” He acknowledged the tight gaps in qualifying, emphasizing the need to maintain a relentless pace of development and continuously deepen their understanding.

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However, there remains a glimmer of solace for Mercedes, as the margins separating them from their competitors were mere slivers of time, no more than a couple of hundredths of seconds. According to Toto Wolff, “We qualified behind the two of them and when we look at the gaps, it was a couple of hundredths up and down.” This close proximity hints that with astute strategic decisions and meticulous race management, they can challenge those ahead of them.

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Toto Wolff brands Max Verstappen’s manoeuvre on Lewis Hamilton as modus operandi

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, former adversaries who ignited a fierce rivalry in 2021, found themselves entangled once again during the qualifying session at Silverstone. Their contentious history, epitomized by the dramatic Corpse Corner crash in the previous British Grand Prix, added an extra layer of intensity to their latest encounter. As the clock ticked down and the chequered flag loomed, both drivers pushed their limits on the track, vying to cross the line first and secure a favorable starting position.

Tensions flared as Hamilton weaved to warm up his tires, while Verstappen eagerly sought to overtake and secure a strategic advantage. The close proximity between the two drivers raised eyebrows, reminiscent of their previous confrontation at the Austrian GP. Toto acknowledged the intensity of the situation, stating, “This was normal modus operandi…that was nothing out of the ordinary.”

With the risk of rain glooming over on Sunday, the British GP promises to be a must-watch event this weekend. Mercedes will be hoping for a bit of luck to rescue the home grand prix of both their drivers. They currently sit in second, with just six points ahead of Aston Martin and are locked in a three-way fight with Ferrari for the runner-up spot.

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