Wolff claims Monaco qualifying results are "long way below our level"
Reflecting on the Brackley-based outfit's qualifying performance, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff stated that his squad was forced to make significant tweaks to the setup of the W16 after struggles across the practice sessions.
Mercedes endured a very difficult session at Monte Carlo. George Russell lost power and ground to a halt through the tunnel in Q2. Although he was eager to restart his car, he was unable to get going again, and will only line up 14th on the grid tomorrow.
His rookie team mate Andera Kimi Antonelli suffered a big moment in Q2. The Bologna-born driver made a crucial error of clipping the inside wall at the Nouvelle Chicane on his final lap in Q1, which saw him crash into the exit barriers.
Reflecting on the Brackley-based outfit's qualifying performance, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff stated that his squad was forced to make significant tweaks to the setup of the W16 after struggles across the practice sessions.
"Today was a difficult day and a very disappointing result - to finish P14 and P15 is a long way below our level. We were struggling for pace in practice and made some sizeable set-up changes going into Qualifying. For George in particular, this made the car come alive and he showed really strong pace to finish Q1 in the top five.
"Unfortunately, it was a more difficult session for Kimi. He was right on the cut-off when he made a small mistake on the entry of the Nouvelle Chicane - but like always in Monaco, it had big consequences, and he finished in the barrier.
"We therefore began Q2 with one car and George running the Medium tyre; he had found nearly one tenth of a second in the first corner when he suddenly lost power going up the hill to Massenet. We suspect an electrical fault, but the team is still working to track down the exact cause.
"As he came to a halt in the tunnel, and was unable to restart the car, it became clear that he would line up just ahead of Kimi in P14. It's all the more frustrating as George had the pace to fight for the front two rows today.
As for Mercedes' prospects for the race, the Austrian noted: "It goes without saying that it will be a long afternoon tomorrow - the mandatory two stops might open up more opportunities than usually happens in Monaco, but it won't be easy to make up places.
"Notwithstanding that, we will be giving it our all and racing hard to get the maximum from what has been a difficult weekend so far," concluded Wolff.
