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reaction wolff after qualifying austria

Wolff after 'disappointment': 'Hoped to fight for second or third place'

30 June 2023 at 18:24
Last update 30 June 2023 at 18:34
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  • Toby McLuskie

For Mercedes, qualifying in Austria did not go as expected. Lewis Hamilton still managed a fifth time, but for George Russell, it was over after Q2. The younger of the two Britons will start from 11th on Sunday. Toto Wolff called the result "disappointing."

"Overall, underwhelming [today]," Wolff interjected to Sky Sports. Fighting for the first, but certainly, the second row of the grid was initially the German racing stable's intention. "I think we came with expectations that we would be fighting for P2, P3 with the Ferraris or the Aston Martins and we underperformed, but obviously, racing is only on Sunday, so we'll see."

Updates very important

Ferrari has also introduced the necessary updates in recent weeks and certainly seems to have taken a step forward with them, while Aston Martin is not sitting still either. Does Wolff expect it to remain a three-man battle for the rest of the year? "Yes, you see that the time gaps are not huge. We're talking two-tenths up and down to make a big difference or three-tenths. So we're bringing something to Silverstone and it looks like hopefully it has an impact like it had on the McLaren and the Ferraris today."

Indeed, Hamilton and Russell finished behind Lando Norris, who finished neatly fourth in qualifying. The MCL60 received a major update at the Red Bull Ring and it paid off. Although the strong Mercedes engine also helps: "Of course," Wolff grinningly hooks up to Sky Sports reporter's suggestion.