As the Formula 1 championship progresses, Red Bull finds ways to stay on top. But with this Mercedes does not seem happy. A team with the seven-time World Champion may not be seeing the results that they want. And Toto Wolff has been pretty vocal about it. While the Mercedes team struggles with their car, Toto Wolff seems to have changed his mind.
As the Silverstone qualifications came to an end, the Mercedes drivers saw a not-so-good result. The Mercedes team saw an average result after both their drivers had qualified for the third round. While George Russell secured a P6 for the race and Lewis Hamilton on P7. Although they keep coming up with more and more upgrades in the car to get a better result and performance.
But looks like Toto Wolff may have changed his mind once and for all. As they keep seeing results that may not be optimum. He has decided that he will not be focusing on this year’s car at all. He also mentioned Niki Lauda and how they may not have enough finances for upgrades. As the Silverstone Grand Prix inches closer, Toto Wolff if not completely given, has decided to focus on next year’s car instead.
Has Toto Wolff given up on this year’s car?
While the results come into an average for the Mercedes team Toto Wolff may be looking at the bright side. He has mentioned he will be focusing on something else than the car this year. Although Lewis Hamilton and George Russell do not seem happy with the car. Toto Wolff may not be hearing out their concerns any longer. Lewis Hamilton has been on record about his disinterest in the car.
But he said, “Lewis and George have been pretty vocal about what they would want to change in the car, and that’s simply not possible because we are lacking the financial corridor. The cost cap is a real constraint now because you cannot just go for a B-spec car,”
“That’s why we’re looking very much at next year to change these things.”
Toto Wolff:
“Lewis and George have been pretty vocal about what they would want to change in the car, and that’s simply not possible because we are lacking the financial corridor.”
“That’s why we’re looking very much at next year to change these things.”
“When I would ask Niki… pic.twitter.com/F8HjISGLe0
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 9, 2023
He then went on to mention Niki Lauda and his devotion to the team and performance. He talked about how Niki Lauda always said that he wants to be focused on not only the present year but also the next.
Toto Wolff said, “When I would ask Niki [Lauda, Mercedes’ former non-executive chairman] many years ago, do you want to concentrate on this year’s championship or next, he would say both.”
“So always continuing to develop these cars is important for our understanding, and at the same time you mustn’t waste resources when you go to, let’s say, a different layout of the car next year.”
As the season continues for Mercedes and they end on average results, they have a bit of hope. He has decided to divert his focus to next year’s car. While Hamilton and Russell demand for more changes Toto has his eye set on another goal.