Wolff points out major weakness that may cost Antonelli the sprint win!

16:25, 03 May

byNorberto Mujica

Toto Wolff has spoken on Mercedes' form in the start of the 2025 season, and while he acknowledges his team has indeed made progress, he also highlights a weakness in the W16 that is sure to make Kimi Antonelli's life a bit harder when defending from the McLarens in the sprint race.

George Russell mentioned that Mercedes had a better than expected start to their 2025 campaign, something Toto agrees with, whilst praising his senior driver's defending skills.

"We had a little bit of swings of performance and then maybe one or the other race the Ferraris came back at us and he [Russell] was great in defending. So it is pretty close."

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Particularly in qualifying as evidenced by Antonelli's sprint pole yesterday. However, the odds that Mercedes may hold on to the race win are not the best, because where McLaren have excelled, Mercedes are yet to match the Woking-based team.

"But still, it's not really satisfying because you have McLaren out there that are able to manage their tyres so well. And then it's the three teams that are fighting with each other – one race you get it right, the other one not. And yeah, certainly trying to figure out what it is and playing catch up."

Nevertheless, the progression Mercedes has made is palpable in the W16 Wolff, notes, even if the tyre management aspect is still an issue for the German team.

"The car is much easier to set up. At least you put more flap in and the car does what you expect it to do, which in previous years wasn't the case. And it's more predictable."

"But the underlying issue obviously is keeping the tyre temperatures in the window, and that's something we just haven't found a way of doing really well."