Toto Wolff dismisses Lewis Hamilton suspicions over Red Bull power unit

Toto Wolff in gesprek met Lewis Hamilton. — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes - Red Bull

Wolff dismisses Hamilton suspicions over Red Bull power unit

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 29 June 2021 12:48

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is refusing to follow in Lewis Hamilton's suspicious footsteps over Red Bull's new-found performance that has opened a gap in the F1 title race.

Max Verstappen cruised to victory in Sunday's Styrian Grand Prix to now lead Hamilton by 18 points in the drivers' standings, while Red Bull has a 40-point cushion over Mercedes in the constructors' championship.

After Hamilton raised initial concerns over the flexi-wing providing Red Bull with its advantage, the seven-time champion has also pointed to his rival's recent upgrade of its Honda power unit as the potential source of its superiority.

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That led to Red Bull team principal Christian Horner dismissing Hamilton's claims as being "some way from reality", particularly as the regulations state power units can only be improved on reliability grounds.

Asked if he felt Honda's upgraded system was a factor in such a dominant win for Red Bull in the race in Styria, Wolff declined to follow Hamilton's lead.

“No, I think in this sport we are not working with suspicions," insisted Wolff. "It is important to analyse the facts and the data and this is what everybody does.

"It is very transparent how every team performs and we will be looking at every team’s performance including Red Bull and ourselves and then come to our conclusions.

“In a moment of defeat, it is not…the initial reaction shouldn’t be pointing fingers at anybody or looking to find excuses.

"They have done a good job. Fact! And that second power unit that they brought has been really strong and that can only be with reliability if the first one had degradation.

“So, in summary, let’s look at the data, analyse and then see what that says.”

Red Bull development push surprises Wolff

Wolff is surprised, though, by the fact Red Bull is continuing to upgrade the RB16B despite the impending new regulations and cars for 2022, and given the constraints of this year's budget cap.

In contrast, Wolff has confirmed Mercedes has stopped developing the W12, although Horner has declared his scepticism over such a comment.

Wolff is convinced Red Bull cannot continue in such a fashion for too long, at which point he hopes a door will be opened for Mercedes to counter the current threat.

“The championship is not only played with adding aerodynamic parts," added Wolff.

"At this stage, even the ones like Red Bull, who still keep adding parts, need to switch all of the development to next year.

"That means all the exploitation of the car, the set-up work, tyres and the optimisation of how we are running will become a very important part."