Toto Wolff: So far we just don’t have enough speed

According to the results of the first session of free races at the Paul Ricard circuit, George Russell became the best of the Mercedes drivers and showed the 4th fastest time. Reserve driver Nick de Vries, who replaced Lewis Hamilton, was on the 9th line. Team leader Toto Wolff is not satisfied with such results.

Toto Wolff: “We are not yet at the level we want to be. The team is testing the effectiveness of new elements, including an improved bottom, as well as some minor details, but so far we just don’t have enough speed.

In theory, this track should suit our car, but the weekend has only just started, although our speed left a lot to be desired in the first session. Looks like we can’t fully unlock W13’s potential just yet. During the second training we will compare a number of components and see what happens.

Even on the third lap after leaving the pits we don’t get optimal grip from the tires, but we noticed that Max Verstappen had something similar. We haven’t quite figured this out yet.

In all corners we lose to Ferrari, and in straight lines – compared to Red Bull, but they have adapted the rear wing to a smaller angle of attack. So there isn’t a single piece on the track, except maybe the 11th corner, where we were quite competitive.

When Wolff was asked how he rate Nick de Vries’ work, the head of the Mercedes team said: “I was a little confused when I came to the pits, and Lewis Hamilton was in my seat, and I even asked :”Why aren’t you in the car? And only then did I realize that Nick was working in training.

It was interesting to watch him, today he did an excellent job and after the session he and Lewis started analyzing telemetry. As for de Vries’ future, if we can’t come up with an interesting track in our Formula 1 program, we’ll have to let him go. He is now looking at different options – sports car racing, Formula E, but at the same time you should never lose hope that the door to Formula 1 can be opened.

He also commented on the situation regarding the implementation of the FIA ​​technical directive, which will come into effect from the Belgian stage of the championship: touches the control strips under the underside of the machine. And with a view to next year, discussions are underway as to what can be done to completely eliminate the remaining issues with the bottom and control bar, as regulations allow for some tolerances. So far, these questions have not been answered.

As far as I know, at one of the races in the FIA ​​they inadvertently drew attention to some quirks that were against the regulations. But even after the technical directive comes into effect, I don’t expect it to significantly affect the balance of power. In theory, some teams will probably need to increase the ground clearance in front of the car just a little.

Personally, I think this technical directive should have come into effect three races ago, i.e. as soon as the FIA ​​made their discovery.”