Toto Wolff remains ‘open-minded’ over switching parts between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for Brazilian GP

Toto Wolff wasn't concerned with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton switching parts in their chassis at the Brazilian GP.

Toto Wolff remains ‘open-minded’ over switching parts between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for Brazilian GP

Lewis Hamilton, Toto Wolff, and George Russell (images via IMAGO)

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have faced some performance issues despite the recent upturn in Mercedes’ performance. Moreover, Russell has crashed his chassis and damaged it on multiple occasions in past races. Mercedes has also continued implementing some chassis changes to further improve performance. Hence, Toto Wolff noted that he didn’t mind the drivers switching parts in the challenger.

George Russell’s crash at the US GP qualifying, followed by a crash at the Mexican GP practice session, cost Mercedes a lot of money. As a result, Russell was running the previous chassis floor specification at the Mexican GP. Regardless, at the upcoming Brazilian GP, the 26-year-old might replace the newer version of the floor with Lewis Hamilton.

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Speaking upon the split of parts, Toto Wolff noted that he was very open-minded with the drivers sharing specs. This meant that implementing the changes in the chassis depended on the drivers’ personal preferences. Hence, Mercedes will talk with both the drivers regarding the same and fit the chassis according to their preferences.

I’m always open-minded about what the drivers think. If I’m certain that George is going to go for the new and Lewis may want to back-to-back the old floor in Brazil, we will certainly talk with him about his preferences.

Toto Wolff told motorsportweek.com

Mercedes will have only two new floor plans for the Brazilian GP amidst ‘tremendous’ financial hit

Both the crashes from George Russell and Kimi Antonelli‘s crash during the Italian GP practice session made the cost cap situation tricky for Mercedes. Toto Wolff pointed out this hit in the budget for the team and noted that they must dial down on the upgrades. Hence, the German carmaker will bring only two new floor plans at the Brazilian GP amidst the limitations due to cost cap.

There is a tremendous hit in the cost cap and we probably have to dial down on what we put on the car. So we’ll be having two upgrade packages in Brazil. Two floors but that’s basically, there’s nothing else that’s going to come. We have certain limitation on parts where we need to be creative.

Toto Wolff noted
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (via Formula 1)
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (via Formula 1)

Mercedes’ upturn in performance still wouldn’t enable them to catch up to the front of the pack in the constructors’ standings. Both the Silver Arrows have continued to give it their all in terms of on-track performance. Hamilton’s final season at Brackley would end on a high after the Briton scored two highly coveted race wins.