Wolff warns Verstappen: “Lewis rocket engine back in his car next race”

Toto Wolff has issued a warning to Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. In a week and a half, during the first Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, Lewis Hamilton’s ‘rocket engine’ that he used in Brazil will be used again.

The seven-time world champion accepted a grid penalty in Brazil but still managed to win the race on Sunday. He also won in Qatar last weekend, but that was not with the bike he used last week, Toto Wolff reported.

Despite this being a different bike, Hamilton beat Verstappen for pole position by 0.455 seconds, and he also won the race without too much effort. Verstappen finished second, but saw his championship lead narrowed from 14 to 8 points.

Reverse Situation

Speaking to Sky F1, the Mercedes team principal said: “Saudi Arabia should be a good track for us, but we know this year if you think it’s a good track it could turn the other way.”

“It’s a long straight, so we’ll send our rocket engine to Saudi Arabia because we didn’t use it in Qatar. Hopefully Valtteri Bottas can also get back to good form as we’ll need him badly in the coming races. If they both make it to the finish, we will at least go to Abu Dhabi with every chance of a championship.”

When asked if the Mercedes package is currently the best of the season, Wolff replied: “Yes, certainly. I think the car is fast on the straight and good in the corners. On old tires the degradation is fine – even during races in the Middle East and two more to come.”

“I think we have to attack as much as possible. We have to catch up, get points and that is exactly what we are going to do.”