Spanish Grand Prix

Verstappen "needs to be seen as the favourite" at the Spanish Grand Prix - Wolff

Sam Hall Saturday 15 August 2020 20:40

Verstappen "needs to be seen as the favourite" at the Spanish Grand Prix - Wolff

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff insists Max Verstappen must be viewed as the favourite for victory in the Spanish Grand Prix despite the Silver Arrows locking out the front row of the grid.

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will line up first and second on the grid for Sunday's grand prix, but the long run pace and tyre management of Red Bull driver Verstappen has caused concern for Wolff.

The Dutchman was triumphant in similarly hot temperatures last time out at Silverstone, and although impressed with the improvements made by the Mercedes team, Wolff tagged Verstappen as the favourite.

"I believe the work that has been done during the week and from yesterday to today was good," said Wolff. "I think we have improved and that is most important, and I hope we can give him a run for his money, but definitely Max needs to be seen as the favourite based on yesterdays long runs.”

In response to comments about the similarities to one week ago, Wolff added: “The only similarity between Silverstone and Barcelona this week is the ambient and the track temperatures, but the track itself is very different.

"So we don’t expect the same blistering issue like in Silverstone but nevertheless, more degradation and I believe more overheating.

“I believe Red Bull masters those conditions very well."

Before you go...

Another Q2 exit as Vettel blames "nervous" Ferrari SF1000

Eyes forward for Perez after "great" Spanish qualifying

Latest News

Red Bull

Who is Liam Lawson? The young Red Bull star set to partner Verstappen in 2025

1 hour ago

Latest F1 News

F1 team announce championship-winning driver's EXIT in official statement

2 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Ricciardo plans revealed as shock RETIREMENT claim issued

3 hours ago

Latest F1 News

McLaren announce KEY departure as team chief issues statement

3 hours ago

Breaking F1 News

Verstappen F1 team-mate CONFIRMED as Red Bull announce major driver signing

Today 11:19

Lewis Hamilton

Ex-Ferrari boss reveals MAJOR Hamilton risk ahead of 2025 move

Today 09:57

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Verstappen "needs to be seen as the favourite" at the Spanish Grand Prix - Wolff

Verstappen "needs to be seen as the favourite" at the Spanish Grand Prix - Wolff