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Mercedes: Far away from victory

Mercedes: "Far away from victory"

03-09-2021 12:00

GPblog.com

Toto Wolff saw Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the first free practice with a 1:11.500, but according to the Mercedes team boss that doesn't mean much. The Austrian knows things will go a lot faster this weekend, especially since VT1 was halted for more than half an hour due to a code red.

"We are far away from victory because its only Friday, but I have always loved coming to Zandvoort with DTM and Formula 3. I remember Valtteri winning the Masters twice here and its always good times here, also seeing the crowds here is amazing," Wolff said on Sky Sports' camera. "Everybody loves it [the track]. Its ultra high speed dunes at the beginning and the banking I haven't head from them yet."

There weren't many fast laps driven yet. The drivers were mainly scouting the track and waiting for Sebastian Vettel's car to move off the asphalt. "I don't think we have seen the laps that some of the drivers could have done but everybody seems to be improving. I am quite curious to see how it goes this afternoon."

No news on Russell and Bottas

At the British Medium, Wolff was also asked about the status of the second driver alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2022. The 49-year-old top man has no update. "Done means signed. It's not done yet. You all have been asking the questions. I think you need to go through the process, a step at a time and then there is something to announce," said Wolff, who then goes on to say that nothing will be communicated until all drivers' contracts have been signed.