Mercedes racer George Russell.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is optimistic after a “clear performance gain” was achieved at Imola, with further fixes and a clear path to follow providing potential light at the end of the tunnel.
After McLaren introduced their upgraded MCL38 to huge effect in Miami, where Lando Norris claimed a first career win, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes all responded with upgrade packages of their own for Imola.
Toto Wolff hails Mercedes W15 development breakthrough
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
Despite Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari having the upper hand at Imola, Wolff confirmed that his team has also made progress similar to those three teams. Moreover, he revealed that they are currently working on additional upgrades to enhance their performance and hopefully join the battle with the aforementioned trio.
Wolff expressed his encouragement over the small step forward made in Imola.
“The team’s exceptional efforts have successfully translated into significant performance gains on the track through our recent updates.”
However, it should be noted that others have also made progress. Nevertheless, we are still one step behind the top three teams, indicating that there is still a considerable amount of work that needs to be done.
However, despite challenges, we are determined and have a well-defined plan for the future. We have made significant progress and have a stronger foundation to work from. With this confidence, we believe that we will eventually catch up and be among the leading group.
“This weekend in Monaco, the team and drivers will persist with their efforts. The circuit in Monaco is unlike any other, presenting an exceptional challenge. The anticipated performance is difficult to foresee, yet our aim is to flawlessly navigate the weekend and make the most of our current car.”
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When speaking to media, including Thomas Maher from PlanetF1.com, in Imola, Wolff clarified his statement about Mercedes needing a platform to build upon. He expressed that the team now has a heightened sense of confidence because they have identified the missing “fundamental” element in previous “false dawns”.
Wolff expressed that a stable platform for him is a car that provides clarity on the development direction, ensures optimal performance, and has experienced ups and downs in recent years, including disappointing moments.
However, I believe that there is an underlying factor that we have overlooked, which is why there is currently a greater sense of assurance.
However, it should be noted that nothing in this sport is guaranteed. We are currently in a position that is not satisfactory. The frustration in my voice is evident. We need to improve and perform at a higher level.
The most recent victory for Mercedes on the renowned Monte Carlo circuit took place in 2019.
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