Wolff dismisses rumours: 'Horner and Brown just spread nonsense'

Mercedes has lost ground

In an interview with Austria's Sport24 Auto, Wolff says Red Bull Racing clearly had the faster car in Bahrain. "The disadvantage we lost because of the new regulations is just there, it can't be fixed. Now it's a matter of managing what we have to be competitive. We have to understand our car better."

Yet Lewis Hamilton still managed to win the first race of the season. According to Wolff, that is the class of Hamilton himself. "We know what we have in Lewis. He can drive."

New drivers in 2022

Both Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas have an expiring contract, which of course always gets the rumours going nicely. For example, McLaren team boss recently stated that Max Verstappen and George Russell would drive for Mercedes in 2022. Wolff, however, waved away all the rumours. "Brown is just like Christian Horner. They just spread nonsense. I don't give a damn."

Coronavirus 

Wolff also had to deal with a coronavirus infection during the winter break, from which he has still not fully recovered. "I can't complain, I had mild symptoms, but every time you think everything is back to normal and you go full speed again, you feel your strength is running out. I just have to sit it out." However, he did not take advantage of the vaccination opportunity in Bahrain. "No, I'm waiting for my turn," he said.