Wolff says Ferrari taught Mercedes a lesson: 'We should've been on pole'

Toto Wolff reports that Mercedes are kicking themselves for not being more aggressive in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mercedes team boss saw a chance of pole position slip through their fingers after going for a "conservative approach".

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth fastest, with George Russell down in P7. Both drivers moved up one place as a result of Max Verstappen's hefty grid penalty due to an engine change. Hamilton himself was critical of Mercedes. The seven-time World Champion believed pole position was attainable if he had one more set of intermediate tyres at the end of Q3. Wolff agreed with his driver.

Wolff explained the Mercedes process. "We were out early and chose the conservative path. We could probably have started from pole position if you had done it like Leclerc, who gambled on the fact that it was dry in the end, which worked for him," Wolff told ServusTV.

Wolff fears the worst for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix which is predicted to be completed in dry conditions. "In the long runs they [Ferrari] were not so good yesterday in the dry. It will be dry, that's why we think it will be a race with the McLarens. Then Verstappen may join from behind. Yesterday he was absolutely the benchmark, and that's why I think he will also be tomorrow."

Mercedes have been in fine form recently, taking one podium in each of the last five races. This included two back-to-back wins in Austria and Britain.