Toto Wolff: “We must be realistic” / Formula 1

Formula 1 drivers started the first weekend of the racing season in Shanghai and there was plenty for the drivers and engineers to do in qualifying for the mini race. Because the weather finally decided the plan. In the rain it was important to get the tires on the work window. And one man who did this well was Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion had the second fastest lap behind Lando Norris. The McLaren star was initially denied a lap because he spun out of the final corner on the previous lap. But since this was useless because he had to go through the gravel, he was finally given lap time.

Hamilton can still be happy with second place. Team boss Toto Wolff was in no mood to celebrate. He told his colleagues at “Sky”: “I’m not happy at all, I’m annoyed that we were wrong again in SQ2 with the grip, and that in both cars.” Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell was also not among the fastest ten.

“Of course the disappointment is big for him, but also for all of us in the team. If you stop at the traffic lights in our car for two minutes on the pit lane, the tires will get stone cold and nothing will work with our car,” explained the Viennese.

“It is true that it is difficult to find it because when it rains, you have to decide to stand in line or sit back and wait. Then of course it can find you, and you can be the only one whose song is wet. So the way you are doing it is wrong. But we certainly know that standing in traffic at traffic lights is not good for our car,” Wolff added sternly.

The 52-year-old did not want to make predictions about the race: “I don’t know, that’s a surprise. It can stay dry and it’s a short race. I don’t think we’ll have enough speed against the Red Bull drivers. But let’s see what creates the starting position. But we must remain true.”

Sprint Qualifying, China

01. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:57,940 minutes
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:59,201
03. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:59.915
04. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 2:00,028
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 2:00.214
06. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 2:00.375
07. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 2:00,566
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 2:00.990
09. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 2:01.044
10. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 2:03,537
11. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:36,345
12. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:36.473
13. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:36.478
14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Bull Racing, 1:36.553
15. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:36,677
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:37,632
17. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:37,720
18. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:37,812
19. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:37,892
20. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:37,923