Wolff urges Mercedes to "get on top of our tyre overheating challenges"
Following the tough Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff hopes that the Brackley-based outfit will be able to "get on top of our tyre overheating challenges"
Following a tough weekend at Monte Carlo, Mercedes looked very strong in qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix. George Russell secured fourth place on the grid while his team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified sixth.
The Briton might have expected to complete the same start that he had last year at Barcelona, but he endured different fortunes to what he achieved a year ago. Russell was picked off by Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1 before he was also overtaken by Charles Leclerc into Turn 5.
He then played the long game and managed to overtake his former team-mate with an undercut strategy. At the safety car restart, he was adamant to overtake Max Verstappen, as he dived down the inside into Turn 1 but made contact with the Dutchman.
Red Bull then instructed Verstappen to hand the place back to Russell following their scarp at Turn 1. With just three laps left to go, the Dutchman slowed down at Turn 5, and Russell completed the move on the outside, but the reigning champion appeared to speed back up again, leading to contact between the pair.
The four-time F1 champion would eventually let Russell through into Turn 11, and the Mercedes driver finished in P4.
His team-mate Antonelli looked on for points today despite losing out at the start as he ran wide, but his race ended in the gravel after an apparent Power unit issue for his second DNF in three races.
Following the tough Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff hopes that the Brackley-based outfit will be able to "get on top of our tyre overheating challenges"
"That was a difficult weekend for us overall. We typically struggle a lot in warmer conditions and tyre management is our main issue when the tarmac is as hot as it was like here in Barcelona.
"P4 for George is obviously not where we want to be racing but it is a better result than we thought was possible pre-race. Unfortunately, Kimi did not have the chance to score points due to his Power Unit failure.
"We now have time to delve into all the data collected throughout the weekend and focus on unlocking the potential of the car. We know there are clear areas that we need to work on.
"We need to get on top of our tyre overheating challenges. Fortunately, there is still a long way to go in the season, and we’re determined and will keep working hard to make progress with the car."
