Toto Wolff hopeful final 2022 upgrade brings extra Mercedes pace
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has called on his team to end the 2022 FIA Formula 1 season strongly, as the outgoing Constructors’ World Champions bring their final updates to the W13 in Austin this weekend.
“We want to end this season strongly and the results of the last two races only make us more determined to do so,” 50-year-old Wolff stated, ahead of Round 19 of the 22-race calendar.
The Austrian added: “Our final update package of the year will be brought in Austin; it won’t drastically change our fortunes but we are hopeful it will bring us a step closer to the front runners.”
After eight seasons of near total domination of F1, breaking several records in the process, Mercedes are so far winless in 2022, with drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both achieving a best of second place to date.
While Wolff would gladly take a victory in 2022, the Mercedes boss wants his team to “make strides” this season and generate learning in the development race for 2023.
Austin could be a circuit that suits the W13 a little better, but the car has been susceptible to what the team have termed as “mood swings”.
Wolff did not disclose his hopes for the weekend ahead, the Circuit of the America’s has been known to be rough on tyres, which could play into Mercedes hands, as their car is kindlier to its Pirelli rubber.
67-points separate Mercedes from second placed Ferrari in the Constructors’ Standings, but with Ferrari’s tendency to drop the ball in 2022, a strong result in Texas could be the springboard for an unlikely swoop for second place by the Silver Arrows.