Wolff still weary of Ferrari threat despite strong start

  • Published on 25 Apr 2019 09:40
  • comments 2
  • By: Coilin Higgins

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has spoken of his plea for the team to 'keep pushing' ahead of this weekend's race in Baku.

Despite a 57 point advantage over closest rivals Ferrari coming into the fourth round of the season, Wolff is still weary of the challenge their Italian colleagues can mount.

With the concern of the team falling behind prior to season opener in Melbourne last March, Mercedes has had a perfect start to their season, winning all three races this year so far, as well as finishing those three first and second consecutively.

Apart from Bahrain where Ferrari had the edge, it also seems that the team have more pace than Ferrari.

"Three 1-2s in the first three races represent a fantastic start to the season," Wolff said on the official Mercedes F1 Team website

."We were able to maximise our opportunities, although we didn't always have the fastest car, but we need to keep pushing."

Ferrari is one of many teams bringing updates to their car for this year's race in Azerbaijan in the hope of closing the deficit to their Silver Arrow rivals, but Wolff is confident that the team can maintain their good pace, as long as they stay away from trouble.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was on course to win last year, but had to settle for fourth after locking up trying to pass Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas after a late safety car restart.

Bottas, who jumped Vettel thanks to staying out and pitting during the safety car, also lost the lead and retired after he suffered a puncture from unseen debris on the circuit a lap later.

The race was eventually won by Bottas' teammate Lewis Hamilton.

"The team has done a very good job and performed strongly in every department," Wolff added.

"The double-stacked pit stop in Shanghai is just one visible example of many that are happening every week at all levels of the team."

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Manto02

    Posts: 93

    Things Mercedes is the best:
    2019 championship
    Drama show

    • + 0
    • Apr 25 2019 - 19:42
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      Yes, they do. So terribly tired of this.

      • + 0
      • Apr 27 2019 - 17:10

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 Austria
  • Date of b. Jan 12 1972 (52)
  • Place of b. Vienne, Austria, Austria
  • Weight 0 kg
  • Length 0 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar