Toto Wolff is pleased with the outcome of the Qatar Grand Prix and is looking forward to the last two races of the season with high spirits. There is still everything to win and lose for Mercedes in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. That Max Verstappen managed to snatch the point for the fastest race lap from Lewis Hamilton today is therefore disappointing.
Mercedes proved very strong at the Losail International Circuit in Doha. The cars of the German formation were clearly faster than the competition, resulting in a pole position on Saturday and a victory on Sunday. A great weekend for the Zilverpijlen, but it could have been even better if Valtteri Bottas hadn’t dropped out and Verstappen hadn’t run off with the extra World Cup point for clocking the fastest lap. However, Wolff is satisfied and is looking forward to the final phase of the season in good spirits.
Mercedes all the way back in title fight
IN PICTURES: Top football players present in large numbers at Qatar GPread more
The competition for the title for Mercedes has never been so fierce as this season. It is very exciting in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships – with two races to go. “I think we started with a backlog (to the season),” Wolff started opposite today Sky Sports. “We just weren’t strong enough. The rules weren’t in our favor and you have to take that for granted. That’s why I think whoever wins the championship deserves it. If we lose it will be me one or two sleepless nights.”
Wolff is disappointed with extra Verstappen World Cup point
Hamilton and Verstappen are so evenly matched this season that the points for the fastest race lap may well be the deciding factor. That is why Wolff is a bit disappointed that Verstappen managed to snatch the tip from Hamilton in Qatar. “Lewis was great, that one point is a bit annoying,” he says. “It would be annoying if we lose (the World Cup), but we can handle it. It’s not the end of the world. We will come back stronger.”
But Wolff is confident that things can still turn out well in the last two races of the season, which take place in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. “We have to put things right, make up some points. And that is exactly what we are going to do,” said the Mercedes team boss.
.
