Toto Wolff claims Sunday ‘could be pretty grim’ if Mercedes fails to find a ‘compromise’ ahead of Monaco qualifying

The Mercedes F1 team was the fastest at the end of FP1.

Toto Wolff claims Sunday ‘could be pretty grim’ if Mercedes fails to find a ‘compromise’ ahead of Monaco qualifying

Toto Wolff (Via: IMAGO)

Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff has aired concerns about the W15, saying that te racecar appeared to struggle during the later parts of practice. The Brackley-based team has shown good improvement in pace around Monaco during Friday’s FP1 and FP2 sessions.

Lewis Hamilton went fastest overall in the W15 during FP1 and second fastest during FP2, which resulted in a sense of fulfillment for the Mercedes team. However, concerns regarding the W15 flared up again when the car seemed to be doing well during the short runs but had issues during multiple lap practice sessions.

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The front end of the car seemed to be losing downforce and balance after seven laps or so, and this led Toto Wolff to wonder about a compromise in order to perform better during the race on Sunday. At the Monaco Grand Prix, qualifying is of utmost importance, as the driver starting the highest on the grid has an advantage due to minimal chances of overtaking.

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On a single lap, it was good, the car is good. On a long run, it was less so. I think after lap six, seven we really lost the front. And then, if you can’t get the car into the corner any more, then the Sunday could be pretty grim. So we need to find a compromise.
Toto Wolff said post FP2 in Monaco.

Mercedes will look to resolve this matter at the earliest as this issue can cause a big setback to their hopes of qualifying on the front row. After the upcoming FP3, it will be time for qualifying, where the team will look to capitalize on their one-lap pace in an attempt to score their first win of the 2024 season.

Toto Wolff updates on the plan to sign Max Verstappen

Toto Wolff has spoken openly about Mercedes’s desire to sign Dutch driver, Max Verstappen from Red Bull for next season The German outfit is still searching for a second driver after the news of Lewis Hamilton leaving the team to join Ferrari in the coming season hit the paddock.

Max Verstappen (L), Toto Wolff (R) (images via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen (L), Toto Wolff (R) (images via IMAGO)
Max is not going to get in a car that is not competitive and at the moment we are not competitive enough to lure a world champion. But we have to see how the next months go.
Toto Wolff told the PA News agency at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Mercedes are currently the fourth fastest team on the grid, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all being faster. But Toto Wolff has full faith in his team as they look to work and improve their race fortunes in the coming months.

Max Verstappen currently leads the driver’s championship and has five race wins to his name already this season. The Dutch driver will look to perform to the best of his abilities during the ongoing Monaco race weekend, having won at the circuit twice in his last eight outings.

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