Wolff can't wait: 'Saturday we're going to see the truth'

F1 test days never create a clear picture of the actual competitive relationships between the teams. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff cannot wait to see the "competitive truth" on Saturday.

This weekend the first F1 race of the year takes place in Bahrain. The teams are already present and ready to drive the first free practices tomorrow. During the test days, of which the last three were also held at the Bahrain circuit, teams did not show the cards up their sleeves yet. However, F1 analysts, journalists and fans are speculating about which team is in a good position. Wolff, who caused a stir with his W13 without sidepods, doesn't want to make any predictions about next weekend either, but is looking forward to Saturday's qualifying.

Wolff can't wait

On the Mercedes website team boss looks ahead to the first race weekend. The Austrian starts by summarizing the six test days with which he is generally satisfied. Still, there remains plenty of room for improvement, which is why Wolff says he finds it difficult to estimate where they will stand this weekend: "That is ultimately what makes this new season and era so exciting. It's a clean slate for everyone and anything is possible. What we like about F1 is that the stopwatch never lies. We will get our first taste of the 'competitive truth' on Saturday."

In recent years Mercedes has always been right at the top at the start of the season. Sometimes they had a tough time with Ferrari or Red Bull Racing, but as a constructor they have been undefeated for eight years in a row. This season, their preparation doesn't seem quite right, so this picture might change in 2022. On the other hand, Mercedes is known for putting sand in the opponents ' eyes and it should be taken into account that this year Mercedes will just be there again with the fastest time on Saturday.