Toto Wolf: Mercedes have to stick to principles despite being in ‘dungeon’ 

DUNGEON: Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium. Pic: AP Photo/Olivier Matthys

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made his most public admission of how hard the team have found being soundly beaten by Red Bull and Ferrari this season. After another trying weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff referred to their desperate straits as a “dungeon” which was proving harder to cope with than anything the team had experienced before.

Max Verstappen won for Red Bull at Spa-Francorchamps with a dominant run coming through the field from 14th on the grid to a victory that emphasised his skill and what a remarkable car he has this season.

But Wolff conceded it was hard to cope with being relegated to an also-ran.

“They say you never lose you learn, I can tell you it is fucking difficult,” he said.

“All these nice Instagram posts and everything we have talked about over the eight years, about how we are going to take this when you arrive in the dungeon.

“To stick to your principles and your values, to keep the spirit up and continue to relentlessly seek to get better? Phew. There is more to write a book about this year than there is about the last eight years.”

Hamilton’s race ended on lap one when he hit Fernando Alonso going for a pass at Les Combes. But having been so slow in qualifying, they were quicker in the race, with George Russell taking fourth. 

Guardian