Toto Wolff: I congratulate Red Bull via WhatsApp

The Qatar Grand Prix will be another race that Toto Wolff will miss after undergoing knee surgery two and a half weeks ago. That is why he gave an interview to the Austrian newspaper OE24 from his hometown of Monaco.

Question: How is your health?
Toto Wolff: The operation went as smoothly as possible. Maybe I was playing it a little safe when I decided to extend the rehabilitation period. In any case, doctors recommend refraining from long flights for the time being.

Question: So you’re watching the Grand Prix broadcast on TV?
Toto Wolff: No, I have organized a whole pit wall at my home, I am in constant contact with the team and am fully aware of everything that is happening.

Question: Were you very nervous at the last race in Suzuka when Hamilton and Russell almost collided on the track?
Toto Wolff: It wasn’t that dangerous of an incident. Moreover, now we are not fighting for race victories or for the title, except perhaps for wooden medals. But if the riders go too far, we give the order to stick to team tactics. In Suzuka I finally had to give such an order.

Question: Will you congratulate Helmut Marko and Red Bull on the phone if Max Verstappen secures the title?
Toto Wolff: I send congratulations via WhatsApp. Despite all our rivalries, we must remain true athletes and be honest. Now you can look up to Red Bull: they have an exemplary team, an exemplary car and an excellent driver. In general, we can only congratulate them.

Question: But recently you criticized Marco very sharply for his statements about Sergio Perez…
Toto Wolff: In our time it is madness to allow yourself to make such statements. They cannot be forgiven at any age. But I think he learned his lesson.

Question: Lewis Hamilton is pushing the team because he believes Mercedes must now work as efficiently as possible to be able to fight for the title in 2024…
Toto Wolff: This is what we all tell ourselves every day. We understand that the pace of technological modernization must be faster than ever before. But we are already giving everything, because we can only return to the lead if we manage to improve the basic characteristics of the car. Now that Red Bull is so far ahead, we are completely rethinking the chassis concept.

Question: Is Red Bull Racing already working on the 2024 car?
Toto Wolff: Naturally. From the time we dominated the championship, I remember that this allowed us to start creating a new car even earlier. If the regulations don’t change, it will be difficult to overtake Red Bull. But we’re not going to give up.

Question: What needs to be done to make Mercedes more competitive next season?
Toto Wolff: In short, the problem is that the behavior of the rear of our car is not stable enough and the drivers do not feel confident entering corners. We need a car that allows you to attack without fear of being thrown off the track in any corner.

Question: Lewis Hamilton won the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix – is it possible to repeat that success?
Toto Wolff: No. There are too many corners on this circuit and the behavior of our car is not predictable. Maybe the chances are better in Mexico City or Brazil. Moreover, by then I will have recovered and will come to the races again.