Did Ferrari reveal Bahrain strategy? Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explains...

Bahrain GP

Did Ferrari reveal Bahrain strategy? Wolff explains...

Their approach to practice was 'unconventional'.

Matthew Scott

Friday 29 March 2019 18:44

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Toto Wolff suggested that Ferrari may have shown their hands in terms of strategy for the Bahrain Grand Prix after utilising an "unconventional" approach to Friday practice in Sakhir. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were dominant in both sessions, topping both by more than half a second from the Silver Arrows.

Leclerc and Vettel topped a session apiece, with Vettel in P1 during FP2 – the only session run in night-time conditions similar to the race and qualifying.

Although Mercedes' advantage from Australia melted away in the desert, Wolff said it was little surprise.

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"We're quite happy," Wolff told Sky Sports. "You can see enormous straight-line power from the Ferrari on the straight, it's where they're making all the gains.

"It's definitely a different Ferrari than we've seen in Melbourne.

"I don't know how there operating it [the car] but in terms of pure pace, definitely more Barcelona [Ferrari's strong pre-season form] than Melbourne."

Ferrari opted to use an extra set of soft tyres in FP2, running more qualifying simulations than Mercedes – perhaps owing to FP3 being held in unrepresentative conditions.

However, Wolff hinted that the Silver Arrows might be able to glean information from their rivals' approach.

"I think it's unusual what they did and its maybe to do with tyre strategy in the race, we need to analyse that," he said.

"We we're surprised. It's an unconventional tactic and it says a little bit about the race."

Although his drivers were on the back foot, and Lewis Hamilton seemed to be lacking pace compared to Valttri Bottas, Wolff remains bullish.

"I think it's very dangerous to underestimate Lewis Hamilton," he said. "Once the lap time counts he's always there.

"Again, Valtteri has started off where he left it in Melbourne – very strong and very good long run also."