Wolff: We have to be realistic in our expectations

In an interview, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff assessed the team’s performance in the opening races of the season and shared what fans can expect in the near future.

Q: After three races there was a long break. How do you rate the team’s season?
Toto Wolff: The season is tough. By choosing the direction of the machine’s development, we hoped that we would solve our problems from last year. However, the team found that the results were not as expected. We know very well that Formula 1 is the most serious competition in the world, and if it were simple, this challenge would not be so fantastic.

After three races we saw a team that is now a benchmark for the rest. In Australia we saw glimpses of the speed of the car, which inspires us for the next part of the season.

Q: You mentioned encouraging signs in Australia. What else was positive about the start of the season?
Toto Wolff: After three races we understand the car much better, which is encouraging. The team has determined the direction to follow and I am convinced that we are on the right track. We need to consolidate our understanding and I hope that in the upcoming races we will take the next step.

In addition, it is important to stay firm and not hesitate, to remain rational and to believe in the chosen path, to believe in the capabilities of the team. We will have setbacks, but there will be updates and a lot of work – all this will help us get closer to the leaders.

Q: The break in the calendar has been going on for several weeks. What is happening at the bases in Brackley and Brixworth right now? What are your priorities?
Toto Wolff: Work in Brackley and Brixworth continues at an accelerated pace. Everything you see on the track is just the tip of the iceberg. The speed of the machine and the efficiency of the power plant are created on two bases. Everyone has a great attitude and determination. I have 100% confidence in the team because our prospects are not necessarily tied to one weekend or even a season. We try to lay the foundations for success over the years, recognizing that we can’t win every season because no sports team ever has.

Q: What is your mood for the stage in Baku and the exciting weeks ahead?
Toto Wolff: I like spending time on the road, because it’s part of the job. Sure, it’s great to be home and in the office for a few weeks, be with family and exercise, which is hard to do on the road. At Easter we went skiing – it was fun. In Austria you have to ski, you can’t avoid it!

Q: What are the team’s short and long term goals for the remaining races of the season?
Toto Wolff: We understand that we have to pay for ourselves. To do this, the team needs a steeper development than Red Bull, because basically we want to fight for victory in the race.

Now Red Bull set the benchmark for everyone. We believe in our plan and our people, but we understand that failure is inevitable. However, if the team has an upward trajectory, we are moving in the right direction.

Q: Can you name the races that you look forward to with particular impatience?
Toto Wolff: The track in Baku is very different from the rest – there are high speeds on the straights and the races are usually interesting. A unique challenge awaits us in Miami – at this stage there is a lot of marketing activity and communication with sponsors. As for Imola, the first set of built stages of the season will start there.

The team will consistently bring new items to the next races, and we look forward to it. But there is no magic solution that magically transforms the car – you have to remain realistic in your expectations. Hopefully we will see steady progress.