Russell proves Wolff wrong: 'Brilliant call'

F1 News

Wolff delighted with Sprint Race Austrian Grand Prix 2023
1 July 2023 at 18:09
29
  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

Mercedes' George Russell went to the pit lane first for slicks during the rainy sprint race on Saturday at the Austrian GP. It turned out to be a bold but good gamble by the Briton. Team boss Toto Wolff thought it was too early.

Russell, by going first to the slicks, grabbed the last point handed out for P8 and made up for a hopeless sprint race for Mercedes. Wolff is happy with the single point taken on Saturday afternoon. After all, every point is worth a lot in the battle with customer team Aston Martin, which is just five points behind Mercedes in the championship.

Wolff calls strategy Russell brilliant

Wolff revealed to Sky Sports after the sprint race that he was happy with Russell's strategy: "It was a perfect call. I thought it was a lap too easily but we had nothing to lose, so a brilliant call.” About Hamilton's race, the Austrian is less elated. The Briton finished P10 from P18. Wolff: "“He had a warm-up issue and was a lap too late [to pit]. It’s things that we learn. The car had pace.”

That there is pace in the W14 is positive news. Hamilton himself called Saturday not that valuable and seemed unperturbed by having to start at P18. The seven-time world champion told Sky Sports the same after his P10 later in the day. On Sunday, Hamilton said, "I’m around the Ferraris and Red Bull which is in its own league. If I can hold onto the Ferraris that would be great.”

."