Toto Wolff: Mercedes struggles with “lost podium” in Hungary

(Motorsport-Complete.com) – “The one factor that was good immediately was George’s driving. We’ve got to take a look at all the things else.” That is the primary conclusion of Mercedes group boss Toto Wolff Hungarian Grand Prixthe eleventh race of the 2023 Formulation 1 season. And from these statements on ‘Sky’ it may be seen that Wolff was not happy with Lewis Hamilton’s fourth place.

Wolff comes again to the seven-time Formulation 1 world champion and his efficiency, and criticism of Hamilton resonates when Wolff says: “I believe we misplaced a podium.”

As a result of Hamilton had began the race from pole place, however had already misplaced P1 to Max Verstappen within the Purple Bull earlier than flip 1. On the finish of flip 1, Oscar Piastri was first handed by a McLaren driver, after which in flip 2, Lando Norris, the opposite. Hamilton was solely fourth after simply two corners on the primary lap of the race.

Ralf Schumacher places Hamilton’s beginning part into perspective

Former Formulation 1 winner Ralf Schumacher, nevertheless, places Hamilton’s lack of house on ‘Sky’ into perspective and says: “Such a beginning process can typically go fallacious. You orientate your self backwards after which all the things is already too late and you might be solely a passenger and might not do something. “

Mercedes should “take a look at it,” says Wolff, in any case, the primary lap value a greater outcome. Much more: “With the yesterday’s qualifying [haben wir] possibly two podiums [verloren]”, mentioned the Mercedes group boss. As a result of George Russell had not gotten previous P18 on Formulation 1 Saturday in Hungary and completed the race in P6, virtually 27 seconds behind Hamilton.

Strategically, nevertheless, Mercedes doesn’t should blame itself for something within the race. Hamilton’s tire techniques with medium-hard-medium have been “good”, says Wolff. The lengthy second stint on Onerous additionally labored “as a result of that created the offset” that allowed Hamilton to assault once more later within the race.

That is why Wolff says: “He cannot blame the Mercedes strategists for the race efficiency”. Nonetheless, he doesn’t appear happy when he says: “I believe we had the second quickest automotive. In truth, solely Max [Verstappen] extra shortly. However we simply did not use the potential.”

Mercedes speculates on a security automotive part, but it surely does not come

A late security automotive part, however, may have introduced Hamilton’s race to a greater conclusion. That is one more reason why the second stint was prolonged to Onerous, says Wolff.

“You are hoping for a security automotive and naturally you are additionally making a tire offset on the finish the place you possibly can go so much sooner,” he explains. However that does not change the truth that Mercedes “merely misplaced an excessive amount of within the first few laps” with Hamilton.

That is one more reason why Mercedes is simply the third most profitable group after Purple Bull and McLaren from Hungary. However that is solely half the reality, emphasizes Wolff: “The outcome does not present it in any respect, however the tempo within the automotive in opposition to the remainder of the world is okay.”

“We’ve got developed that and we’re too Second in the World Championshipeven have within the Driver Rating made a leap ahead with each drivers. However the distance to Verstappen is after all gigantic. There is not any level in orienting your self to second greatest if the primary is simply so distant.”