Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted he wants to “punch himself in the nose” after the team's very disappointing start to the 2024 F1 season.
Sunday's Australian Grand Prix saw the Silver Arrows' camp reach new depths as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell retired, leaving Mercedes fifth in the constructors' standings after the first three races of the season.
Mercedes, who have won just one race since the new design regulations were introduced in 2022, enter 2024 optimistic that an overhaul of their car will allow them to challenge for victory this season.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton, who will leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season, qualified 11th and retired with engine failure on lap 17, while Russell was chasing Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in sixth and second to last. I crashed on the first lap.
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Australian Grand Prix highlights from Melbourne's Albert Park
Wolff, who led Mercedes to eight consecutive constructors' titles from 2014 to 2021, said: “It's tough, very tough to win.''
“I would be lying if I said I always felt positive and optimistic about this situation.
“You just have to overcome your negative thoughts and say, 'I'm going to turn this around.' Today feels very, very cruel.”
Despite the imperfections in last year's car, Mercedes beat Ferrari and McLaren to finish second in the constructors' standings behind Red Bull, but Wolff's team remains far behind in the race to chase Max Verstappen. Seems to be going backwards.
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Carlos Sainz put in an incredible performance at the Australian Grand Prix, giving Ferrari a 1-2 win, while George Russell crashed on the final lap, resulting in a double DNF for Mercedes.
“We started this season believing this car was better than last year,” he said. “Then, if we look at last year, [in Australia] When Leclerc crashed and Sainz was fourth, McLaren were 17th, 18th and 19th and now they are 40 seconds ahead of us.
“On the one hand, you want to punch yourself in the nose. On the other hand, this is proof that if things go well, you can quickly turn things around and keep believing.
“We are in very tough times at the moment.”
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Hamilton says the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull is the same as last year after retiring from the Australian Grand Prix with engine failure
“Leaving Mercedes is not an option for me.”
Speaking to reporters in Melbourne after the race, Wolff was asked if he had considered his position in light of Mercedes' long-term struggles.
“As a part of this business, I have to make sure my contributions are positive and creative,” he said.
“I'll be the first to say, if anyone has a better idea, please let me know, because I'm interested in rebuilding this team as quickly as possible. And I'd be happy to.” Let's offer our input and see what it comes down to.'' Whoever it is.
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Karun Chandhok was on Skypad to find out if Fernando Alonso caused Russell's big crash on the final lap of the Australian Grand Prix
“What we have is a physics problem, not a philosophical or organizational problem. We haven't taken a stupid pill since 2021, but we always understood it in the past. We just don't understand some of the ways cars behave.”
“I look at myself in the mirror every day about everything I do, and if I think I should ask a manager or a trainer, I think that's a fair question, but that's not how I feel at the moment.” “
Wolff then described his situation as similar to that of a soccer team manager, given that he has 33 percent ownership of the team and will therefore remain tied to Mercedes regardless of whether he stays in the job. He explained that he could not talk about it.
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Russell and Alonso have described a final lap crash in which the Aston Martin driver appeared to have slowed down dramatically.
He added: “The big difference is that this is my job, I'm going to quit my job and someone else will do it, and it's not like the manager's question is, do I go to Chelsea or Liverpool or beyond?” To Ferrari.
“I don't have that choice, and that's unfortunate too. I'm not a contractor or an employee and I'm saying, 'Enough is enough.' The hamster wheel keeps turning and you can't jump out. ”
The biggest season in F1 history continues with the Japanese Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from April 5th to 7th. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – cancel anytime with no contract
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