Wolff reveals how Russell played role in leaving Mercedes 'LOST'
Wolff reveals how Russell played role in leaving Mercedes 'LOST'
Toto Wolff has revealed how George Russell's decision to stay out in the rain at the Dutch Grand Prix left the Mercedes team feeling 'lost'.
Russell made the decision himself after the team had told him to come in to stop on lap one of the Dutch GP, with the rain pouring down.
Sergio Perez came in at the end of lap one, and gained massively, going from starting seventh to leading the race by 14 seconds with a brave move onto the intermediate tyres.
Both Russell and his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton stayed out, however, dropping them down to 16th and 18th. Hamilton eventually managed to recover to sixth place, but Russell wasn't so lucky.
READ MORE: Hamilton SIGNS new Mercedes contract as Russell also agrees new deal
After the race, Wolff told Sky Germany that Russell's decision had made the Mercedes team feel a bit lost.
"George told us to stay out during the second and third round and of course, you have to depend on that. We did not look at the gap Perez created and the rain came faster and stronger than expected. Our forecasts didn’t see that coming.
"The driver has the best perspective, and the driver said, ‘no, let’s stay out', which is a collective decision," Wolff conceded.
"Until now, he’s been able to estimate the conditions well, but this time, we were lost. There was just too much water. I think we had a car that could have easily been at the front but this is motorsport.”
"Monumental mistake" cost Mercedes
It was a shame for Mercedes, as their car looked quick enough to be able to challenge the front runners, particularly with Max Verstappen only winning by 3.744 seconds.
Hamilton, arguably, had a quicker car than Fernando Alonso in second, and Alonso managed to give it his best shot at the end to take the fight to Verstappen.
This mistake cost the team valuable points, Wolff admits.
“We made a monumental mistake in the beginning. Between driving in these conditions and strategy, including me. We did not see that Perez was driving 25 seconds faster during the first round. There is no nice way to put it, we ruined our race.”
READ MORE: Toto Wolff: Net worth, wife and career profile of Mercedes giant
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull partner reveals HUGE F1 2026 entry details
- 32 minutes ago
Hamilton salutes New York after making F1 HISTORY
- 1 hour ago
F1 Miami Grand Prix: A detailed look at Miami International Autodrome layout
- 2 hours ago
Former F1 boss SLAMS sport's major change
- 2 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: F1 star backs American interest to 'keep growing' in 2024
- 3 hours ago
Andretti names dream date for team's F1 debut
- Today 13:57
Related news
Hamilton and Wolff centre stage as F1 shuts down New York for new emoji launch
F1 wonderkid in Imola TEST amid driver replacement reports
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860