Wolff: George rode flawlessly today

In the last Grand Prix of the season, Mercedes managed to defend second place in the constructors’ championship against Ferrari…

Toto Wolff, Team leader: “George rode flawlessly today. Great ending. Charles Leclerc was very sporty at the end of the race and made no attempt to slow down. Two great teams, two great friends who fought until the end.

I didn’t feel stressed. I’ve only experienced it once in Formula 1, and that was here a few years ago. Today we fought for second place and we won. But everyone on the team understands that this is only second place.

At the end of the day, we are all racers. On such a day you feel like a winner, even if it is not first place.”

George Russell (3rd): “We achieved second place in the Constructors’ Championship at the end of the season, this is very important for us. Our guys at Brackley and Brixworth have done everything they can to get us to this point. The season was very difficult and I’m glad it’s over.

At the end of the race the battle with Perez was very intense, but now I can relax. I wasn’t feeling well this past weekend, I had a cold and was coughing all the time, but now it’s all over. I was very relieved when I came third.”

Lewis Hamilton (9th) “I don’t know how we will remember this season. Not our best year. The important thing is that the season is over.

Will we be able to fight for the title in 2024? Do not know. Red Bull had not modified their car since August, but today they won by 17 seconds.

This year we learned a lot about our car, now a lot depends on the team. They know what to do.”