When asked why Mercedes did not try anything different, either pitting early or splitting strategies, Wolff confirmed that those ideas had been analysed – but would not have brought them points. That played out in the race, with Yuki Tsunoda opting for an early stop in the Red Bull – but winding up way down the order when he served his second stop.
As for where this result leaves Mercedes, with Spain on the horizon and Ferrari back in the mix, Wolff is not too sure.
“We’ve seen, not only with us but also with Red Bull and Ferrari, you suddenly lose a little bit of your way and you come into some kind of state…