Toto Wolff says Mercedes must take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification from the US Grand Prix “on the chin” though he believes they’ll discover solace of their sturdy efficiency in Austin.
Mercedes introduced a brand new flooring for the weekend and it proved efficient, particularly for Hamilton, who certified third for each the race and the Dash – narrowly lacking out on pole in qualifying to Charles Leclerc by 0.139s and to Max Verstappen within the Shootout by 0.069s.
EXPLAINED: Why Hamilton and Leclerc had been disqualified from the US GP
The Briton confirmed a superb flip of tempo to complete second in each the Dash and the race earlier than he and Leclerc had been disqualified from Sunday’s occasion after the planks on their automobiles had been discovered to not be in compliance with the principles.
Talking after the stewards made their ruling, Wolff stated: “We will take a whole lot of positives from the automobile efficiency [on Sunday]. We hate coming so near profitable and falling brief.
“However it is a circuit the place just a few races in the past we wouldn’t have carried out effectively due to the quick, sweeping corners. The improve appears to have made the automobile happier in these areas and it’s working effectively. Directionally, it’s an excellent signal.
“Turning to the race consequence and the disqualification, set-up selections on a Dash weekend are at all times a problem with only one hour of free apply – and much more so at a bumpy circuit like COTA and operating a brand new package deal.
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“Ultimately, all of that doesn’t matter; others received it proper the place we received it flawed and there’s no wiggle room within the guidelines. We have to take it on the chin, do the training, and are available again stronger subsequent weekend.”
Wolff revealed that Hamilton stated he had “extra confidence” as he may now “really feel the rear” of the W14 from the beginning of Friday’s apply, and it confirmed as he completed simply over two seconds behind Verstappen on the chequered flag.
When requested what he would say to the crew earlier than heading to Mexico, Wolff stated: “Nicely, we’re all on this collectively, so I take advantage of swear phrases however so did everyone else. However we have to take the positives, I hate dropping races, and the entire crew is in ache.
“However it is a circuit the place a couple of races in the past we wouldn’t have carried out as a result of it’s these fast-sweeping corners the place we had been depressing in Suzuka. We went effectively right here, now we’re going to a couple of tracks that ought to make the automobile happier.”
