Wolff reminds Lauda: 'Maybe just right that Red Bull won in Austin'

Lewis Hamilton led the US GP but could not keep Max Verstappen behind after his poor pit stop. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff may have seen the team's last chance for victory in 2022 go up in smoke, but is showing his most sporting side.

Mercedes didn't have the pace to beat Verstappen

Mercedes have still not won a single race after eight years of winning the constructors' championship in 2022. At Zandvoort during the Dutch GP, Hamilton had a real chance for the first time and also at the Circuit of the Americas, the Briton led the race for a long time. Verstappen's poor pit stop ensured Hamilton was in front. According to Wolff, it was a good chance for Mercedes, but the fact that they still haven't won is not the end of the world.

Speaking to ORF after the race, Wolff said, "With 12 or 13 laps to go, we expected the difference in tyres to work in Max's favour. In the end, we didn't have the pace. At least we were competing for the win. We are just not here with an Olympic idea. Competing alone is not good enough for us." Although Wolff balks at Hamilton's loss, the Austrian puts the weekend in perspective.

Wolff recognises Red Bull's situation

Wolff thinks the race weekend must have been particularly tough for Red Bull following the death of Dietrich Mateschitz. Wolff: "After what happened yesterday with Mateschitz, maybe it is just right that they won the race." Thinking back to the GP weekend when Mercedes advisor Niki Lauda died in 2019, Wolff says: "We also defended like bears then in order to win. " Wolff shows respect for his compatriot.

With three races to go this year, Mercedes' chances of a race win seem extremely slim. Wolff also wondered if this was it. The Austrian holds out hope: "That's what I asked myself today: 'Was this it for us?' No, we will challenge ourselves. Even if we don't win, we are laying a foundation for next season."