Wolff warning

Mercedes boss says team will be even better this week at Red Bull Ring

MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff has sounded a warning to the chasing pack by insisting their cars will be running even better this weekend. The Mercedes drivers came in for a 1-2 at the Austrian Grand Prix, although Lewis Hamilton was hit with a five-second penalty so dropped down to fourth but Valtteri Bottas took the victory.

But despite their finishes both drivers suffered with gearbox problems that could have seen their race weekend ended prematurely.

But Wolff insists the cars will be in even better condition this week for the second race, which takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria again.

“We have a great group (that) is going to (work to) solve that problem,” Wolff said.

“What I understand is that there are solutions that we can at least improve the situation. Austria is for sure stressing these parts on the car most in all of the season.

“So if we find a way around of protecting the car this weekend, we should be fine. I think we have ideas.

“The reliability issues here come from the kerbs. It’s a great track, but if you run the kerbs too wide which is within the rules, you damage your suspension.

“It is a permanent evaluation of the driver, how quickly you want to go, how much you want to ride the kerbs and obviously, by nature, they want to go as quick as possible.

“If you do that, you risk suspension damage or vibrations to the car that can break it.”

There are only eight races on the calendar as things stand so Hamilton starting his title defence with a fourth-place finish doesn’t bode well as he hunts down Michael Schuamacher’s seven titles.

But Jenson Button has backed him to recover in time for the second race.

“A real tricky couple of days for Lewis with the penalties – but this is one weekend,” the Sky Sports presenter said.

“I was his teammate for three years and I know he comes back really strong after this type of weekend.”