Wolff after third place in standings: 'Disappointment was bigger last year'

It was a disastrous year for Mercedes. For years, the German team was the dominant force in Formula 1, but after the rule changes, Mercedes were hardly competitive. But, in the closing stages of the season, there was the prospect of finishing second in the constructors' championship. In the end, Ferrari narrowly stayed ahead of Mercedes.

One win, one pole. That was all for Mercedes. Red Bull Racing and Ferrari were ultimately too strong for Toto Wolff's team in the vast majority of the races. The Austrian therefore does not look back on the season with a happy feeling, even though he was mentally worse off in 2021. "The disappointment was bigger because everything was taken away from us within seconds. We were no longer in control of the situation. This time it is our own fault. Others have done better than us with the new regulations," the team boss said in a conversation with Auto, Motor und Sport.

New competitors

Wolff expresses the expectation of competing for the title again next season. Which other teams will also be competing for the trophies, Wolff is not sure. "The cost cap will bring the field closer together and give us opponents who are not our opponents today. I don't think eight titles in a row will be possible again. On the other hand, we have more wind tunnel time than Red Bull and Ferrari. We have to use this advantage."

Wolff isn't worried Mercedes will be out of contention for years to come, as happened to Red Bull and Ferrari in the past. Wolff is not. According to the team boss, the situation at Mercedes is stable, with next year the same drivers, the same staff and the same regulations. At the time, Ferrari and Red Bull did have changes in the team. For instance, Ferrari lost their driver (Michael Schumacher) and the management team.