F1 News

Wolff reveals why Bottas needed new race engineer

Wolff reveals why Bottas needed new race engineer

05-06-2019 13:07
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Jake Williams-Smith

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has revealed why Valtteri Bottas was assigned a new race engineer for the 2019 season.

Having previously worked with Tony Ross, Nico Rosberg's engineer during the German's time at the Silver Arrows, Bottas has worked with Riccardo Musconi since the beginning of the new season.

While Ross was moved on to the Formula E division of Mercedes ahead of the team's debut in the electric series next year, Wolff has spoken about the need for a new race engineer and explained the thought behind the move.

"Every Formula 1 structure is completely transparent these days," Wolff told Motorsport-Total.

"There is no longer any data that is not shared. No organization can afford to remain static. We've managed to retain the talents by finding new positions for them to grow in. At the same time, it's us It's not trivial to regard the organization as a dynamic organism, not as something frozen.

"We can not tell our people that everything stays as it is, regardless of whether they are still motivated or have fun, or younger people who can do better.

"That's why this team will never stay the same from one year to the next, but there will always be changes - some positions are more visible, others less."

So far the move looks to have been a success, with Bottas appearing to have found a lot of pace over the winter break, already picking up two race wins this season and challenging his teammate Lewis Hamilton for the title.

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