Mercedes Team Principal Wasn't Moved By Possibility Of His Team Losing P2 In Championship
F1Monday, 27 November 2023 at 04:00
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff commented on his feelings during the intense battle for second place in the Constructors' Championship during the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Mercedes went into the last race of the season at Yas Marina Circuit with the upper hand on Ferrari concerning the battle for second place in the Championship.
While George Russell said ahead of the race he would not want to be in Ferrari's shoes, Charles Leclerc warned he was prepared to do "absolutely everything" as the fight with Mercedes was all that mattered to him.
The battle turned out to be more intense than anybody might have anticipated, and it wasn't clear which team would come out on top until the final lap of the race.
However, Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff told Sky Sports he did not feel the pressure: "No, I was not stressed. I was stressed once in my life in Formula 1, and that was here a few years ago [in 2021]."
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was indeed quite stressful for the Mercedes team principal as Lewis Hamilton lost the Championship title on the final lap of that race. Wolff explained he couldn't be moved by a battle for P2.
"But that it was a fight for P2. In a way, it's super positive for us as a team and for many a reward to be vice-champion. But it also reminds you that it's P2."
The Mercedes team principal applauded Russell for an incredible result, which secured second place for Mercedes, and also Leclerc for "sportsman-like behavior.' He concluded:
"I think it was a great end in the fight for P2. I think that George's driving was exceptional. I also think that Charles at the end, it was sportsman-like behaviour, not trying to slow down George. Two great teams two great brands that fought until the end."
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