F1 News: Toto Wolff Claims Mercedes Pace "Is Still A Mystery" After Las Vegas GP Qualifying

Toto Wolff acknowledges confusion over the team's performance.

Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff expressed confusion over the team's inconsistent pace, with George Russell securing fourth place while Lewis Hamilton struggled to 12th. 

Key Takeaways:

• Wolff emphasised the critical role of tyre temperature in performance, with just a few degrees making the difference between grip and no grip. This uncertainty was evident in both Free Practice 3 and the qualifying session.
• While Russell managed a commendable fourth place, Hamilton's 12th place finish underlined the team's struggles. Wolff noted that even teams like McLaren, typically front-runners, faced similar challenges, suggesting a broader issue with tyre management.
• Looking ahead to the race, Wolff acknowledged concerns about tyre graining on Mercedes cars, but remained hopeful. He predicted strong performances from Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc and stressed the importance of patience and strategy in managing tyre issues during the race.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, in a post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports F1, described the team's performance as "a mystery," with tyre management being a central issue. Wolff's comments came after a mixed qualifying result for Mercedes at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with George Russell securing a strong fourth place, but Lewis Hamilton lagging behind in 12th.

"It [our pace] remains a mystery. Having the tyres in the right window. You can see the difference.

"We already saw that in Free Practice 3. Very difficult to understand."

Wolff highlighted the narrow temperature window for optimal tyre performance, noting:

"Lewis didn't have anymore grip. We are talking about four or five degrees temperature in difference between grip and no grip."

This issue was not unique to Mercedes, as Wolff pointed out McLaren's unexpected exit in Q1, contrasting sharply with Ferrari's dominance, as both Ferrari drivers outpaced the field by half a second.

Looking ahead to the race, Wolff remained cautiously optimistic, acknowledging issues with tyre graining but emphasising the importance of strategy. 

"The graining wasn't good on our car but we ran at a different time in FP3 - very early on a slippery track," he explained.

"I think Verstappen and Leclerc are going to be very fast. We just need to manage it and be patient until the worst part of the tyres have gone," he concluded.