Lewis Hamilton progress fears founded - Toto Wolff

Turkish Grand Prix

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Hamilton progress fears founded - Wolff

Mercedes was outpaced by Haas and Williams in practice

Sam Hall

Saturday 9 October 2021 16:40

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff conceded Lewis Hamilton is correct in his fears about making progress in the Turkish Grand Prix after struggling behind "a Haas and also a Williams" in practice.

Hamilton set the fastest time in qualifying but will start from P11 after being hit with a 10-place grid penalty for taking a fourth engine of the season.

Despite setting a new circuit record in qualifying and looking ominously dominant across the weekend, Hamilton claimed it would be "difficult" to move through the order on Sunday, a fear Wolff shares.

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Put to him by Sky Sports F1 that Hamilton should be in the top five within 20 laps, Wolff said: “I hope so.

"But on Friday on the long run at a certain stage we were behind a Haas and also a Williams and it was very difficult even to come close so I guess that strategy is more going to be the one that will help in the race.

“You need to look at the positives that the car is very quick and Valtteri can start from pole. On the negative side, it is a weekend where we could have had a front-row lockout and we haven’t.

“He needs to go to the back and it’s not going to be easy with all the cars running on mediums in front of him apart from [Yuki] Tsunoda. Progress will be a tough one.”

Bottas to aim for the win

Valtteri Bottas will start from pole after qualifying second behind Hamilton. It is now over a calendar year since he last won a race win, but Wolff is backing him to keep Red Bull's Max Verstappen behind and claim the victory at the Istanbul Park.

“We have to look after ourselves," explained Wolff. "Valtteri wants to win the race and this is the best opportunity and it’s helping Lewis.

"The Red Bulls haven’t been so competitive this weekend and over the long runs it was worse than on the single lap.”