Motor racing: Bahrain was one of our worst days in racing, says Wolff
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Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton (left) and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in action during the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MANAMA – Mercedes started the Formula One season being beaten in Bahrain by their own engine, which powered Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin onto the podium while they struggled as the fourth-fastest team.
“That was one of our worst days in racing,” declared team boss Toto Wolff, as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished fifth and George Russell seventh.
Red Bull’s double world champion Max Verstappen
“It was not good at all; we are lacking pace front, right, and centre,” said Wolff. “The Aston Martins are very fast, and the Red Bull is just on a different planet. It hurts that they are so far ahead.”
Red Bull ended Mercedes’ run of eight successive constructors’ titles last season and Wolff said the start to the 2023 season felt like being on the receiving end of the punishment his team once meted out to others.
“It reminds me of our best years, where we put one second on everyone else. That is the benchmark. We need to put one foot in front of the other to come back, but nobody in this team will throw in the towel,” he said. “We need to dig deep, deeper than we ever have done before. And we can do that.”
Hamilton, whose hopes of a record eighth championship look like disappearing for the third year in a row, said Mercedes had done their best.
“We are the fourth-fastest team right now, and the Ferrari and Aston that we were battling were just quicker than us,” said the 38-year-old Briton.
“We know we are not where we need to be. I’ve got to stay positive, keep my head up and keep pushing the team. I will be a positive light for them and get the best points I can.”
Trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin said Mercedes lacked overall grip.
In stark contrast to the despondency at Mercedes, there was optimism at Aston Martin.
“When you are P3 in race one, there are 22 (more) opportunities this season,” Alonso said, of a possible 33rd career victory.
“You know, anything can happen in 22 races with different conditions. And, you know I will try my best to have the opportunity. Maybe we need some help.
“Maybe this year, if there is this help or there is some retirements in front of us or some problems, maybe it’s more than a podium. So let’s hope for that.”
Alonso, 41, said he had the same feeling that he got from testing last month – “too good to be true”.
“The car had areas that needed improving but the project was still in its infancy, he added.
“This is just the beginning. You know, this is not the final car, this is just the starting car of this concept that we changed over winter.” REUTERS
