Mercedes back on top
Mercedes in Australia has returned as the master of Formula 1, regaining the top of both championship standings for the first time since the 2021 season. However, the Circus seems to have entered an identity crisis, with the new technical regulations immediately sparking a flurry of protests among Circus fans, particularly the older ones who do not seem to have appreciated this new turn of the series in ‘electric Mario Kart’ style.
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As the seasoned motorsport politician he is, Toto Wolff while presenting the Chinese GP weekend tried to strike a balance, showing closeness to the Circus fans without turning his back on the new regulations he celebrated in Melbourne, which are producing decidedly favorable results for the Silver Arrows.
Toto’s thoughts
“Melbourne was an intense first race weekend with these new regulations – the Austrian manager stated – and it provided many emotions. As always when there is a major change, there are aspects to modify and improve and some negativity to overcome, but it is part of the process and it is important to listen to the fans and understand what is important to them. There was a lot of battle between the various teams. With the acquisition of further knowledge by the teams and the convergence of the squads, I am confident that the situation will also improve. Our goal is to do the work necessary to be in this fight at the top”.
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But don’t tell Wolff that Mercedes is a cut above the competition: “We faced several challenges in Australia, which was predictable with such new cars. The team managed them well and overcame them to achieve the result we wanted. We learned a lot and improved a lot, and we will try to do the same in China. Being a Sprint weekend with only one hour of practice, it will be even more difficult to fine-tune the car before the first competitive session. Last weekend we witnessed a close fight at the top with Ferrari – added the boss of the Silver Arrows – and there are several other teams that have not yet shown their full potential, so we know a real battle awaits us“.
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