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Wolff's Candid Admission: 'Really Bad' United States GP

Wolff's Candid Admission: 'Really Bad' United States GP

Summary
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff expressed strong disappointment with the United States Grand Prix, labeling it "really bad" due to a lack of overtaking and excitement. He noted that Mercedes' car had pace but struggled in dirty air, leading to George Russell finishing sixth and Kimi Antonelli's race being marred by a collision. This result saw Mercedes lose crucial ground to Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship battle, highlighting a frustrating weekend for the Silver Arrows.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff openly criticized the United States Grand Prix, calling it "really bad" and citing a lack of excitement and overtaking. His comments highlight a frustrating race for Mercedes, where George Russell finished sixth and Kimi Antonelli's race was compromised by an early collision. The result saw Mercedes lose crucial ground to Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship.

Why it matters:

Wolff's blunt assessment, while rare, underscores a growing concern within F1 about races that fail to deliver excitement, especially on circuits like COTA. For Mercedes, it's a candid admission of a disappointing weekend that directly impacted their battle for second place in the Constructors' standings, an objective they are fiercely pursuing against a resurgent Ferrari.

The Details:

  • Dull Race: Wolff attributed the lack of excitement to a combination of factors, including the circuit layout, small performance differences between cars, and tire characteristics. He explicitly stated, "Everything interacts, so that's why I think we had a race today that was… really bad. That played the overarching role for not great overtaking."
  • Mercedes' Performance: Despite believing their car had the pace, Wolff noted that following other cars in dirty air made overtaking impossible, hindering their ability to capitalize on their theoretical speed.
  • Constructor's Standings Impact: Mercedes lost valuable points to Ferrari, who showed a strong all-round performance in Austin. This further intensified the battle for the runner-up spot in the Constructors' Championship.
  • Driver Incidents: George Russell finished sixth, while Kimi Antonelli's race was effectively ruined by an early collision with Carlos Sainz at Turn 15. Sainz received a post-race penalty for the incident.

The big picture:

Wolff's comments extend beyond Mercedes' individual performance, touching on broader issues within Formula 1 regarding race dynamics and entertainment value. As the sport continues to expand globally, ensuring exciting races is paramount for fan engagement and the overall health of F1. This particular Grand Prix serves as a reminder that not every race can be a thriller, and sometimes, even team principals will voice their disappointment directly.

What's next:

Mercedes will be looking to rebound quickly in the upcoming races to regain momentum in their fight against Ferrari for second in the Constructors' Championship. Addressing the challenges of overtaking and maximizing their car's potential in dirty air will be key priorities. Furthermore, Wolff's remarks might prompt further discussion within F1 circles about track design and regulations to promote more thrilling races.

Original Article :https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/wolff-makes-us-gp-confession-after-really-bad-mer...

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