Wolff: Qatar should be more favourable to the strengths of our car

Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at 10:50

Mercedes surprised all, including themselves, with the Las Vegas Grand Prix pole and race-winning performance by George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton powering from P10 to P2 - heading to Qatar they are hoping for a repeat.

It was like the Mercedes of old when they dominated everything. The difference being these days they are never sure what the W15 will muster for Grand Prix weekends. One thing is sure: it enjoyed the cold and slippery Strip on Sunday night.

Heading to the Qatar Grand Prix and Sprint Race weekend, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is upbeat: "We're looking forward to the penultimate race of the season in Qatar after our 1-2 finish in Las Vegas. The team did a great job across the three days in the United States.

"We were quick throughout and executed well on Saturday night. George controlled the race from pole position, drove superbly, and had pace in hand to spare. Lewis, meanwhile, put in a stellar comeback from P10, cutting his way through the field to P2 to secure the top two steps of the podium for the team.

"A highlight result is exactly what we wanted at the end of the season, and it is well-deserved given the hard work and determination everyone has shown in the second half of the year."

Which Mercedes W15 will they wheel out in Qatar? Good, bad or Ugly?

Not knowing which version of the Merc W15 will present itself in Qatar, Wolff added, "The races in Las Vegas and Qatar couldn't be more different. The Lusail International Circuit has many high-speed sections and few, if any, big braking zones.

"Despite going there later in the calendar than last year, it will still be very warm. That is in contrast to the cool conditions and many slow-speed sections of Las Vegas. Nevertheless, we are aiming for another strong showing this weekend.

"The W15 has looked more at home at circuits with lots of high-speed corners, such as Silverstone or Spa. We certainly benefitted from the nighttime cold in Las Vegas, but the layout in Qatar should be more favourable to the strengths of our car.

"We know our competitors will be stronger than they were last weekend, but we will be aiming to get the car in a good window once again and be in the fight at the front," added Wolff, whose Mercedes team is doomed to P4 in the 2024 F1 Constructors Standings, despite their 43 points jackpot in Vegas.