SM
Newcastle vs. West Ham: 18 hrs 29 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

'Angry' Wolff could axe Mercedes engineers

:Headline: 'Angry' Wolff could axe Mercedes engineers:
Heads could roll at Mercedes after team boss Toto Wolff admitted his designers had fudged the basic 'concept' of its Formula 1 car for the second season in a row.
Sports Mole

Heads could roll at Mercedes after team boss Toto Wolff admitted his designers had fudged the basic 'concept' of its Formula 1 car for the second season in a row.

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan last week slammed Wolff for seeming to pin the blame for Mercedes' ongoing situation on the team's engineers.

"To blame or criticise anybody in his design team is actually disingenuous," Jordan said. "It's really crass.

"He's the CEO, he's the boss," he added. "The buck stops with him."

With not yet even two grands prix checked off in 2023, it is clear that Wolff's instructions about the new car have now gone out - the basic 'no sidepods' concept will be scrapped.

"I think in five, six or seven races, our car will look completely different," said the Austrian.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher thinks the dire situation with the obvious design error could have consequences for certain team members.

"You can see from Toto Wolff's reaction," he said. "Personally, I find his clearly spoken words very good.

"He'll surely be angry for believing the engineers who were keen to stick to the car concept, which is wildly different from that of the class-leading Red Bull or Aston Martin," Schumacher added.

"Now he knows that concept was wrong, so I think there will be personnel consequences at Mercedes."

Some might think seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton might be a candidate for an ousting, given that he is delaying over a new contract and generally now outpaced by much younger teammate George Russell.

Wolff, though, defended the 38-year-old.

"Like all drivers, Lewis has ups and downs," he told Bild.

"It's a bit tough at the moment for him, but whenever he comes back, he does it mercilessly. And that is exactly what he will do."

Indeed, former F1 driver Felipe Massa tips Hamilton to ink a new contract for 2024.

"You should never make the mistake of writing Lewis off," said the Brazilian. "Next to Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, he is the best driver who has ever driven in Formula 1.

"Lewis can become world champion again, but he needs a competitive car. And he currently doesn't have that."

Wolff, meanwhile, said the fact Hamilton keeps getting out-qualified by Russell is insignificant for now.

"It doesn't really matter," he said, "because we have to take big steps in the coming races anyway."

So while Russell said he had "fun" in the W14 on Saturday, Hamilton admitted to being "a little lost".

But he again played down rumours he might be looking for a move to Ferrari for 2024.

"I love this team and I'm so grateful to everyone here for accompanying me on my journey," said Hamilton. "I'm not one to throw in the towel so easily.

"I'm not one to say ok, I've done that and now something new appeals to me. I'll be patient and do everything I can to make us stronger as a team."
body check tags ::

amp_article__509428 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-03-19 10:27:57:
html db last update - 2023-03-19 10:27:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Toto Wolff

Click here for more stories about Mercedes

Share this article now:
SP
Read Next:
Perez on pole for Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Toto Wolff Lewis Hamilton George Russell Michael Schumacher Ralf Schumacher Felipe Massa Formula 1
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Perez on pole for Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
Man City 'heavily scouting' injured Palace star as January approach readied

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Mbappe, Valverde, Bellingham register as professional Real Madrid overcome Leganes

1

MV

More Estevao wizardry: Chelsea prospect helps send Palmeiras top of Brasileiro

2

ME

Sergi-go: Spurs outcast to take drastic contract action in January?

NEW

3

SS

Preview: Wigan vs. Northampton - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

4

PW

Triple boost? Real Madrid could have three players back vs. Liverpool

5

TB

Wolff 'lucky' to get Bottas back at Mercedes

6

W'

Team News: Newcastle vs. West Ham injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN

Postecoglou 'pushing' for Tottenham 'to beat Man United' to England man

8

P'

Survival boost? Leicester 'join Man United, Arsenal' in race for striker

9

SB

Preview: Young Boys vs. Atalanta - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PY


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .