Vettel: Mercedes dominance boring... but Wolff disagrees

Sebastian Vettel labelled Mercedes' record-breaking start to the 2019 Formula 1 season as "boring", but the Silver Arrows team principal Toto Wolff disagreed. Mercedes secured a fourth one-two finish from as many races in Baku – securing the best ever team start to an F1 season.

No constructor has begun a world championship season with as many consecutive one-twos, Mercedes surpassing the previous record set by Williams in 1992.

The record comes as something of a surprise, given Ferrari were expected to be the dominant team in F1 this season after five years of Mercedes success.

"It's so boring," Vettel joked when asked about Mercedes' start to the year. "It's not just four races, it's been what? Four years? More or less.

"We have got to work harder and better. We are pushing as hard as we can but we need to also respect that [Mercedes] are doing phenomenally well and getting their cars, most of the time, in the right place.

"But I'm still confident. I believe in this team and think we can improve.

"I think we have a good but don't manage yet to put it where it belongs, so it's difficult to have the trust and the feel [with the car]."

Wolff hit back at Vettel's claim, however, pointing to the craziness which had preceded Sunday's race and suggesting that the two were likely linked.

"I don't think it's boring," the Mercedes chief said.

"I think you look at the Formula 2 race and there are lots of incidents and safety cars, but the Formula 1 drivers race a lot more cleanly. We are talking about the best drivers in the world.

"As a fan, I would like to see different winners and a big fight from start to finish, but I lead the Mercedes team and I do everything so that it performs as well as possible."

Related

F1 Legends

STUNNING Vettel comeback compounds F1 champion's misery

• November 14, 2024 19:57

Latest F1 News

Vettel holds talks with F1 legend over ‘DREAM’ comeback

• November 11, 2024 18:59