F1 News
Wolff can't believe what Russell did: 'That wasn't possible'
Toto Wolff can't believe George Russell pulled off a one-stop victory in the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mercedes team boss was delighted with the victory, which saw teammate Lewis Hamilton finish second.
It was a tense moment on the Mercedes pit wall. The team opted to let the two Mercedes drivers race, as Oscar Piastri quickly closed the gap from third place. Given the tyre advantage, Hamilton was expected to make the overtake but brilliant defence from Russell allowed the younger Brit to stay ahead.
How did Mercedes secure a one-two in Belgium?
On Friday, Mercedes didn't really seem to be in the picture as Red Bull and McLaren sat at the top of the timesheets. Wolff confirmed drastic changes were made overnight from Friday to Saturday, but they were hidden due to the weather conditions in qualifying. But Mercedes controlled the race throughout.
Russell himself suggested a one-stop on the team radio, but Wolff didn't believe it was possible to win. "Today we have been clearly ahead of everyone. We didn't think it was possible. But at a certain stage, we said, let's stay out because we were going to finish fifth anyway in both scenarios, and he stayed out and made it last," Wolff reported on Sky Sports.
Mercedes secured 43 points in Belgium, but still remain firmly behind Ferrari in fourth place. Formula 1 now enters its traditional summer race before racing returns at the end of August.