SAKHIR, Bahrain – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described his team’s results at the Bahrain Grand Prix as “one of the worst days in the race” following Lewis Hamilton finish 50 seconds before the winner of the race Max Verstappen.
Red Bull barely exceeded its two-car limit on its way to an overwhelming one-two win in the opening round of the season, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso overtake Hamilton on the track before taking third place ahead of Ferrari Carlos Sainz.
Mercedes finished fifth with Hamilton and seventh with George Russelwhile never scrambling to win during race weekend.
“One of the worst days in the race,” Wolff told Sky Sports when asked to sum up the race. “Not really good at all – we just lacked speed in front, right and center.
“It is a reflection of [preseason] test — Aston Martin is fast and they deserve it. Red Bull is just on another planet.”
Wolff, who on Saturday said his team will have to completely changed its car concept To compete for the championship again, he said the gap with Red Bull was the biggest concern for him in Bahrain.
Wolff added: “It was heartbreaking because they were so far ahead, it reminded me of our best years when we were just a second behind the others.”
“It’s the benchmark, but we need to take it one step at a time to get back and we can do it.”
Speaking to the media later on Sunday, Wolff said there’s no point in trying to hide the problems Mercedes faces with its car.
“I’m not a cow ——- myself and I’m not a cow ——- the media,” he said. “I’ve always been transparent and honest.
“What I’m talking about here is how I feel right now. I’m not overreacting; the gap is huge and to catch up we need to take big strides. Not ordinary steps. “
