Wolff deflated by big gap to Red Bull: "We have Mount Everest to climb"

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is in two minds after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. On the one hand, he enjoyed a good fight with Ferrari and is happy that his team cashed in P2 among the constructors, on the other, there is the painful memory of P1 being pushed further away again.

After a disappointing qualifying session in Abu Dhabi for both Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, the fight for P2 in the constructors' championship lay mainly with Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Leclerc had the task of scoring four more points than his Mercedes rivals to take P2 away from Mercedes at the last minute. Leclerc eventually finished second, but it was not enough.

Respect for Ferrari and Leclerc

After the race, Wolff was asked about Leclerc's action. The Ferrari driver left Sergio Perez in front of him in a final attempt to let the Mexican drive five seconds away from Russell, who was hot on his heels. In that case, Perez's time penalty would have been nullified, and Ferrari would have won over Mercedes. Wolff said in front of GPblog and others: "I think we came to this weekend a little bit on the back foot when you saw Ferrari’s performances in the last few races."

"For whatever reasons, it’s so difficult to have the car in a sweet spot. You’ve seen that with Carlos, who was never there this weekend. And the same with Lewis. Then you have two guys fighting. I think George’s drive today was impeccable. Also in managing the gaps at the end. The fight with Ferrari is a formidable fight between these two great brands. A team that we respect a lot. Charles drove like a real sportsman at the end."

Wolff is in two minds after achieving P2 in 2023

Whether Wolff sees reason to celebrate in achieving P2 among the constructors? Wolff: "When you win on a day-to-day basis, then you win P2, it reminds you that you lost P1. We need to take it on the chin, be humble about it. And consider today as a good day. Nevertheless, there is a Mount Everest to climb in order to catch up with Red Bull."

With his eyes on 2024, Wolff is not getting much more confident. The gap to Red Bull, he predicts, may be too big to be back on top, but the other teams are also a potential danger in 2024. Wolff: "I have no doubt that McLaren is going to be right in the mix next year. Maybe Aston Martin, maybe others. We must leave no stone unturned, which we do in Brixworth and in Brackley. As tough as it is to be reminded that it’s just P2, it’s also a great, great opportunity to come back and strive for the stars."