Toto Wolff explains how Mercedes have smashed Ferrari

Toto Wolff

Wolff explains how Mercedes have smashed Ferrari

A word of advice from the Silver Arrows boss.

Matthew Scott

Sunday 12 May 2019 19:03

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hinted that Ferrari's inability to get close to the Silver Arrows so far in 2019 may be founded in their insistence on focusing on straight-line speed, with a more holistic approach to development having helped Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas dominate the championship so far.

Hamilton beat Bottas to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, leading Mercedes' fifth one-two finish from as many races in 2019.

Ferrari's rapid form in pre-season testing had the champions seemingly running scared, but they have been at their ruthless best so far, something the boss puts down to leaving no stone unturned in improving the W10.

Article continues under video

Wolff told Sky Sports: "You need to be careful because Formula 1 is not down to one explanation, there is not one silver bullet of development that goes on the car that makes all the difference.

"These days when everything has become so much more transparent and digital than 10 years ago, I think it's more about the development direction, understanding the tyres and how the whole car interacts.

"We have added performance every single weekend and I think this is the main reason.

Five consecutive 1-2’s for #PETRONASmotorsports 🏆

Three consecutive #SpanishGP’s for @lewishamilton 🏁

This team is something special
🤜🤛 @mercedesamgf1 pic.twitter.com/uGggJO6sVg
— PETRONAS Motorsports (@PET_Motorsports) May 12, 2019

"They have just put in a new engine which was an upgrade, but going down fast in a straight line is not the only tool that you need, you also need to go around the corners fast.

"It sounds a little bit like a no-brainer, but here it unlocked the potential of our car in the last sector."

A real test of Mercedes' altered philosophy lies next on the calendar in Monaco, where the Silver Arrows have often struggled even in their most dominant campaigns.

"We've changed a little bit the way we develop the car and how much emphasis we put on those slow speed corners," he explained.

"It'll be interesting to see if we can really translate that at Monaco and it would be great to have a big party there. I've missed that."