Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is relieved after the strong qualifying of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The German team achieved a front-row lockout for the Australian Grand Prix, giving them a chance at victory on Sunday. “We can do what we are best at,” says Wolff.
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Toto Wolff emphasizes that this is a strong start for Mercedes, especially due to Antonelli’s crash in the third free practice. The mechanics eventually got the car ready in time during Q1 – partly thanks to the red flag caused by Max Verstappen’s crash – so that the young Italian could still drive. Russell took the first pole position of the season and showed what the W17 is capable of.
‘It didn’t seem possible to me’
The Austrian is especially relieved that Antonelli’s car was finished on time, as he himself had not expected them to make it. “I don’t know where to start with congratulations. The mechanics repaired Kimi’s car, which didn’t seem possible to me,” Wolff says in the paddock. The Italian eventually qualified second, making the first row of the grid for Mercedes.
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Russell, who was also fastest in Q1 and Q2, took the first pole of the year. “George drove on another level, this is a fantastic performance. He had confidence in the car and then you can do this. It’s the combination of driver, car, and power unit. Today everything worked together to achieve pole position. You can see that he has taken a step in maturity and self-confidence. That is good to see,” said Wolff.
‘A lot of frustration’
The era of ground-effect cars is over and Wolff is relieved that these cars are behind them. “I am happy that those chaotic cars are gone. Everyone in the United Kingdom has worked so hard. The past seasons were sometimes frustrating, but now we have a new start with new rules and we immediately take the first row of the grid. It is an indication, but it is still too early to say that this will remain so,” said Wolff.
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