Mercedes back on top: a one-off or a return to the top?
- Ludo van Denderen
Particularly cool joined Toto Wolff on George Russell's team radio: "George, you have pole," said the Mercedes team principal, without expressing huge joy. Still, the Austrian must have been quite happy inside, because in another extremely difficult season, there is finally a success. Whether this marks the turnaround, Wolff cannot say.
'Great' afterwards was the qualification Wolff gave to Sky Sports. "As we’ve said for a while, we're going in the right direction. We've brought lots of little bits over the last few races, some more visible than others, but definitely heading to a more performing car."
Will the front wing make the difference for Mercedes?
To Montreal, Mercedes came with a new front wing. At least at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, it seems to have absolute added value. However, Wolff does not want to say that precisely this component was the so-called missing link: "In Formula 1, there's never one bit that's coming in the car since the double diffuser that makes all the difference."
Moreover, Wolff points out, "And we were running the old wing yesterday and we're very competitive in all conditions, actually. What's come on the floor, little bits on the bodywork and underneath and then obviously the front wing, which is more visible," the team boss added, indicating that his Mercedes has made changes in several areas.