Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, has emphasized the importance of the team’s car potential over a podium finish at the recent British Grand Prix. Mercedes secured third and fifth place with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell respectively, earning 25 points compared to the six points scored by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. This result has extended Mercedes’ lead over Aston Martin to a comfortable 22 points in the Constructors’ Championship.
Wolff acknowledged that while it was a solid result, there were positives to take away from the weekend, especially in terms of the team’s recovery in performance compared to the challenging Saturday and Sunday sessions. He expressed satisfaction with gaining points on their closest competitors and seeing the potential of their car.
The Mercedes team opted for different strategies for their drivers, with Hamilton starting on medium tires and Russell on soft tires. However, Russell’s strategy was compromised by the timing of a safety car intervention shortly after his pit stop. Wolff noted his surprise at the durability of the soft tire and considered it the best option for Hamilton in the latter part of the race, even though he was unable to overtake Lando Norris for second place.
Wolff also commended the resurgence of the McLaren F1 Team, which secured second and fourth place finishes at Silverstone. He highlighted their ability to make significant progress through sound decision-making and acknowledged the positive impact it had on the sport as a whole.
In conclusion, while Mercedes achieved a solid result at the British Grand Prix, their focus remains on the potential of their car and closing the gap to the front. The team is pleased with the progress made in terms of gaining points in the Constructors’ Championship, but they see podium finishes as a secondary consideration compared to the overall performance of their car. The continued competition from McLaren further emphasizes the need for teams to make effective decisions to move forward in Formula 1.
