Wolff concedes low expectations with "elephant" in Monaco
Wolff concedes low expectations with "elephant" in Monaco
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has conceded to having low expectations for the Monaco Grand Prix with cars 'the size of an elephant'.
Even during Mercedes' dominant years, the team struggled more at tracks featuring numerous low-speed corners such as Monaco.
In part, this is down to the longer wheelbase the Silver Arrows run compared to its rivals - this trait making the car less nimble than those with a shorter wheelbase.
Asked if Mercedes' pace through the final sector in Spain, a section that is often a good indicator for Monaco, gave him confidence heading to the principality, Wolff revealed his lower expectations.
"I wouldn't say so because we were particularly off the pace in the slow corners in the last sector due to overheating [but] that might be different in Monaco," Wolff explained.
"Monaco in the past hasn't been our most happy place, maybe because the car had the size of an elephant.
"I'll be curious to see where we are this weekend.
"We still struggle with warm up a little bit so my expectations for Monaco are lower than on any other circuit.
"I'm not sure I can explain scientifically why that is but it's going to be another learning point at least to bring us back into the game."
Hamilton eyes top step return
Although Lewis Hamilton has claimed his recovery drive to fifth in Spain 'felt like a victory', the seven-time champion has not stood on top of the podium since last year's penultimate race in Saudi Arabia.
This winless run of seven races is his longest since 2013 but had it not been for his early contract with Kevin Magnussen in Spain, Hamilton is confident he would have been fighting with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at the front.
"This is a great sign that we are going in the right direction because if I hadn't have had that, I would have been fighting with the Red Bulls," Hamilton explained.
"So that gives me great hope that at some stage we will be fighting for a win."
Asked to assess his chances for this weekend's Monaco race, Hamilton added: "I don't know if we will be quick enough for that.
"I don't think we're quick enough to qualify first just yet."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton in Ferrari F1 SHOCK as star targeted for stunning Audi move - GPFans F1 Recap
- 3 hours ago
F1 wonderkid in Mercedes TEST amid driver replacement reports
- Yesterday 22:57
Former Perez F1 boss reveals who should replace him
- Yesterday 21:57
Sainz hints at sensational move to rival series
- Yesterday 20:57
McLaren star DROPPED following serious injury
- Yesterday 19:57
F1 legend confident about Newey to Ferrari
- Yesterday 18:58
Related news
F1 wonderkid in Mercedes TEST amid driver replacement reports
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
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