Former F1 world champion believes Wolff has 'lost his marbles'
Former F1 world champion believes Wolff has 'lost his marbles'
1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has said that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has 'lost his marbles' over the last couple of seasons, after seeing his team fall from grace.
Mercedes had won eight consecutive constructors' world championships between 2014-2021, before new regulations came in ahead of the 2022 season.
Since then, Red Bull have won 38 of the 44 F1 races, claiming back-to-back world championship doubles alongside star driver Max Verstappen.
In that time, Mercedes have won just once, when George Russell claimed victory at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix whilst seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is without victory since 2021.
Wolff recently described Mercedes' performance at the 2023 Brazilian GP as the 'worst in 13 years' for the team, whilst Hamilton has said that he is glad to be rid of the 2023 car.
McLaren closer to Red Bull than Mercedes
As Mercedes look ahead to 2024 where they will be hoping to bridge the gap to the dominant Red Bulls, Villeneuve has commented on the difficulties of going from being the best to struggling for victories.
“I think it was tough two years ago when they lost the championship,” he told Planet F1.
“Then he lost his marbles a little bit, the whole situation, because the team was not used to not winning.
“It was just cold water. Even a lot of the mechanics of the team, they were not used to it and not all of them could actually live with that.
“But he’s recovered really well. The team has been going in the right direction. Progress has been fair this year, although not as impressive as McLaren.
READ MORE: Wolff reveals DRAMATIC changes to Mercedes car for 2024
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: Hamilton hints Newey Ferrari move as Verstappen takes swipe at F1 rival
- 1 hour ago
Newey Red Bull EXIT date revealed as F1 star confirmed at new team - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
- Yesterday 22:57
Marko defends Ricciardo in 'unbelievable' idiot claim
- Yesterday 21:57
Hamilton hints at sensational Newey arrival at Ferrari
- Yesterday 20:57
Suspended Red Bull employee 'grilled' as Horner saga given potential END DATE
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
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