Mercedes lacking straight line speed in Bahrain - Wolff

  • Published on 30 Mar 2019 17:59
  • comments 3
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that the SIlver Arrows are lacking straight-line speed compared to Ferrari in Bahrain. 

The Brackley squad locked out the second row of the grid in qualifying, losing out to Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc taking pole position by three-tenths of a second. 

Mercedes dominated proceedings two weeks ago in Melbourne, but has struggled throughout the weekend in Bahrain.

“We are lacking in straight-line speed at the moment,” Wolff told Sky Sports. “Whether this is drag or power, we need to analyse. Obviously this is not great for the race either, overtaking will be an option tomorrow but you need a fast car on the straights.” 

Mercedes started investigating the performance deficit to Ferrari while qualifying was on-going. 

“For sure it’s a combination of the two and that post-mortem started mid-qualifying when we realised that we are lacking the speed and we take the analysis from there.

Wolff added that the result was disappointing, but the gap to Ferrari was what it expected after a difficult run up to qualifying. 

“No I think it was what we expected after the practice sessions. 

“It’s a bit of a disappointment because it’s a gap and we need to analyse where that comes from. On long runs we were doing OK, I think that looked good.” 

Replies (3)

Login to reply
  • I feel pretty stupid for not having noticed that the pattern on the rear of the Merc' are small Merc' badges, haha! My stupidity aside: I do wonder if the Merc' still is the best PU around. And Im not speaking purely in terms of power. All the Ferrari cars look mighty handy on the straights, and seem to do a solid job harvesting, and the Ferrari cars have pretty skinny rears, albeit nowhere near as skinny as on the Hondas.

    • + 0
    • Mar 30 2019 - 18:48
    • That's one of the reasons I really like their livery this year. The Renaults looked pretty fast as well in the straight line speed. Nice to see McLaren getting back to form.

      • + 0
      • Mar 31 2019 - 04:18
    • Would've liked to get details about speedtraps.

      • + 0
      • Mar 31 2019 - 08:51

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country AT
  • Date of b. Jan 12 1972 (52)
  • Place of b. Vienne, Austria, AT
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar