Mercedes workforce boss Toto Wolff revealed why the Brackley-based outfit have been “annoyed” after the Qatar Grand Prix regardless of scoring a worthwhile quantity of factors.
On the again of a really robust show on Saturday, Mercedes discovered itself in a distinct scenario on Sunday on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli made a great begin, and located himself fourth within the early phases. Nevertheless, he misplaced out to the Williams driver Carlos Sainz within the first spherical of pit stops and was unable to get better it because the Spaniard displayed an unexpectedly robust race tempo.
After Lando Norris accomplished his second necessary cease, Antonelli gained a spot and appeared to have the ability to soak up the strain from the McLaren driver, however he made one late mistake which allowed the championship chief to slide by means of.
His team-mate George Russell suffered a foul begin which noticed him drop to seventh behind Sainz and Fernando Alonso. The Briton misplaced place through the hectic first spherical of pit stops as he was held up by pit lane visitors.
Regardless of his stellar efficiency within the 19-lap Dash on Saturday, Russell was unable to overhaul the Racing Bull of Isack Hadjar on his personal, however he inherited a spot when the Frenchman retired late on resulting from a puncture.
Reflecting on Mercedes’ up-and-down weekend in Qatar, Toto Wolff mentioned: “We’re annoyed with how our race performed out right now. It was a troublesome night the place we might have introduced dwelling a podium on the very least, together with good factors, however errors meant we didn’t benefit from the scenario.
“George had a difficult first lap, dropping positions as he suffered from operating on the decrease grip aspect of the observe. From there, the lap seven security automotive meant we, together with virtually your complete area, boxed and we have been locked in strategically. It was the correct name to field each automobiles however a sluggish cease with Kimi value us a place to Sainz and that in flip held up George.
“It was virtually unimaginable to observe intently and arrange an overtake so we knew it could be an extended race from there. Each drivers maintained strain on these forward although and have been driving on the restrict.”
“We’re preventing for P2 within the Constructors’ Championship and that is essential to us. Kimi was additionally pushing for his third podium in a row. Any view that he ‘let’ Norris previous is tough to grasp. It was a easy mistake and a irritating one for each him and the workforce.
Signing off with a phrase for the season finale, Wolff added: “We flip our attentions to Abu Dhabi and the ultimate race of the season. We have now a 33-point benefit over Pink Bull so P2 may be very a lot in our palms.
“We wish to finish the yr and this period in F1 on a excessive and might be trying to take action in what’s prone to be a spectacular championship-finale,” the Australian concluded.
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