Toto Wolff expresses confidence in Mercedes’ advancements during the Japanese Grand Prix, despite their underwhelming seventh and ninth-place finishes at Suzuka.
Wolff, the head honcho at Mercedes, remains resolute in his assessment that the W15 showed signs of “solid progress” during the recent race in Japan, even amidst a disappointing outcome.
During the Suzuka event, Lewis Hamilton secured a seventh-place starting position, with George Russell trailing behind in ninth. However, their positions shifted during the race, reflecting Mercedes’ ongoing struggles this season. Russell’s fifth-place finish in Bahrain stands as the team’s highlight thus far.
Wolff acknowledges a significant challenge with the car’s performance in high-speed corners, describing it as a “fundamental” issue exacerbated by a disparity between the team’s simulation data and on-track performance.
Despite these hurdles, Wolff remains steadfast in his belief that Suzuka marked a step forward for the team. He remarked, “The headline results didn’t necessarily show it, but we made solid progress with our car in Japan.
“We are looking forward to building on that this weekend (at the Chinese Grand Prix, which returns after five years away).
“It will be an interesting weekend on track. With new cars, new tyres, and changes to the track surface since we last raced in China, there will be plenty of unknowns. We have the first Sprint weekend of the year too and that brings its own challenges.
“The changes to the format, including a second parc fermé, will be an improvement to the rhythm of the weekend – and the single hour of practice still puts pressure on us to make correct decisions with imperfect information. We are looking forward to that test, though.”
Since 2019, Formula 1 has been absent from Shanghai, where Lewis Hamilton clinched victory, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and stringent measures enforced by the Chinese authorities.
Although restrictions were eased in 2023, the timing was too late for the race to be reinstated in that particular season.
Toto Wolff emphasized the significance of Formula 1’s return to China, stating, “Returning to China is an important moment for the sport. As the world’s largest automotive market and second biggest economy, China is crucial to the sport’s global footprint.
“The growth of F1 in recent years has been positive and China is a key market in which to continue this progress. We are looking forward to racing in Shanghai for the first time in five years and bringing F1 back to the Chinese fans. With a sell-out crowd expected, I am sure it will be a fantastic event.”