Toto Wolff, most successful F1 team boss in hybrid era, has articulated that team performances would be a ‘totally different conversation’ because of the Spa Circuit layout.
He believes that leading teams form from Hungary might not be able to lead the race in Spa.
Mercedes Formula 1 team marked their 10th victory in twelve races at Hungary. Hamilton pounded on Max Verstappen and over-run is dominance to his eight victory of the season.
Initial title contending team, Ferrari, lost its position to Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc finished more than 60 seconds behind at third and fourth position.
Ferrari has been unable to find a single victory this season. The team will go into summer break without any crown this season.
However, Wolff thinks that things will play in favor of Italian team. The characteristics of Belgian and Itialin Grand Prix suit them and it will be different after the break.
“It’s a track that probably doesn’t suit them very well,” Wolff said of Ferrari in Hungary last weekend.
“They have a very strong engine and less drag, and that’s why we will see a very strong Ferrari in Spa and in Monza.
“I have no doubt that the conversation could be totally different than the one we’re having right now.”
Wolff believes that its team can’t rely only on its advantages. But rather team has to do more to compete against Ferrari, which will have advantage of complying tracks.
“It’s going to be difficult for us and that’s why it’s about enjoying the moment and starting [last week] we have to sort out our problems in order to be competitive at Spa,” he added.
Binotto on 60 seconds
After Hungary, Mattia Binotto implied that one minute deficit was a result of its down-force deficiency.
Lead Ferrari driver in the championship Sebastian Vettel agreed it was no surprise to struggle so much.
“Obviously we are very competitive on the straights – [in qualifying] 6km/h or 7km/h faster at the end of the straight compared to Red Bull and also Mercedes,” said Vettel.
“But we are losing quite a lot in the corners.
“There were some tracks where efficiency is more important, [the Hungaroring] is a track where inefficiency pays off, so whatever you have in terms of downforce is positive.
“That’s where we are lacking performance and in the race I think it shows even more because you are sliding and then I think we are going through the tyres faster.
“So, it was not to our advantage. We have seen that as well in recent weeks, so in a way not a surprise.
“But we need to keep our head down and do the work.”
