Wolff concedes 'mind-boggling' Red Bull advantage

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has described Red Bull's DRS advantage as 'mind-boggling'.

Red Bull has been the dominant force in F1 this season with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez sharing all three of the race wins so far this campaign.

A key strength of the RB19 has been its drag reduction system, with Verstappen demonstrating this as he glided past Lewis Hamilton early in the Australian Grand Prix.

Responding to comments that there appeared to be 'almost a class difference' between the cars of Mercedes and Red Bull, Wolff said: “Yes.

"They have a straight-line speed advantage with the DRS open that is just mindboggling. But this is a meritocracy, this sport.

“And if you have a car that is that quick on the straight because you are doing the right things, then it’s up to us to sort this out and find tools in order to have that same straight-line performance.”

Mercedes aided by Albert Park surface

Hamilton scored Mercedes' first podium of the season when he finished second at Albert Park.

Asked how much of the W14's pace in Australia was down to the less abrasive track surface, something that improved tyre life, Wolff added: “It was definitely an advantage for us.

"Our car lacks a little bit of performance at the rear end and that track definitely helped us, so I think that was making us look a little bit better than we should be.

“But we know where the weaknesses are and we just need to sort them out.”

READ MORE: Wolff reveals WHY Mercedes missed out on signing Verstappen

Related

Australian Grand Prix

Mercedes make 'new driver' announcement at Australian GP

• Today 10:57

Mercedes

Mercedes F1 team discuss FIA compliance after George Russell question raised

• March 6, 2025 09:12

More News

FIA issue multiple grid penalties at Australian Grand Prix

  GPFans.com

Real Madrid SWAP for Chelsea star, Arsenal WANT €70m midfielder, Man Utd battle Barcelona: FT Recap

  FootballTransfers.com

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton summoned as FIA issue Melbourne grid penalties

  GPFans.com

Fabrizio Romano confirms MASSIVE Virgil van Dijk contract update

  AnfieldWatch.co.uk

Blijf het hele F1-seizoen op de hoogte

Ontvang het belangrijkste F1-nieuws overzichtelijk gebundeld in een wekelijkse nieuwsbrief. Inclusief specials en exclusieve interviews.