Wolff admits to 'joking' about rivals' struggles

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed that he had been joking about George Russell’s chances of securing a podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, never truly expecting the Briton to achieve it.

Russell claimed a surprise third place in Baku after Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez collided late in the race, allowing the Mercedes driver to capitalise.

F1 HEADLINES: Star driver DISQUALIFIED in Azerbaijan as Hamilton in heated complaint

F1 RESULTS TODAY: Dramatic race ends with HUGE crash as championship lead changes

Speaking to Sky Germany after the race, Wolff admitted he didn’t foresee the podium result but acknowledged the team's light-hearted conversations during the race.

“No, but we joked about it in the race,” Wolff said when asked if he anticipated Russell’s top-three finish.

“They chased each other so much that they had the possibility to drive the tyre into the ground. But realistically, no.”

READ MORE: Hamilton RELEGATED in Azerbaijan after late FIA penalty decision

Russell's Mercedes podium

Russell’s podium came after a gruelling race, with much of the focus on managing tyres under intense pressure.

Wolff highlighted that while Mercedes benefited from their rivals' struggles, the team took away important lessons in tyre management that they hope to apply in future races.

When asked about his radio comments on learning from Russell’s performance, Wolff explained: “It’s about tyre management, how to manage the driver’s driving style and how to manage the race.

“The pace from [Oscar] Piastri and [Charles] Leclerc was so far away from us because they totally massacred the tyre and were still fast.

“We can’t do that, but we learned a lot, and hopefully we can use it for Singapore.”

READ MORE: FIA confirm MAJOR driver penalty for Azerbaijan GP

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw Mercedes continue their season-long struggle with tyre degradation, an issue Wolff hopes the team can address in the coming rounds.

Despite the challenges, Russell’s podium provided a silver lining, offering crucial points and a morale boost ahead of the next race in Singapore.

While the podium was unexpected, Wolff’s light-hearted attitude towards the race reflects the unpredictable nature of F1, where a combination of strategy, skill and a bit of luck can lead to surprising results.

READ MORE: Red Bull star flips car in TERRIFYING Baku crash

Related

Latest F1 News

Wolff reveals SHOCK Ferrari signing

• Yesterday 17:01

F1 News & Gossip

Wolff and Verstappen reach AGREEMENT as Mercedes move decision made

• October 5, 2024 19:56