Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he was "massively annoyed" after the late unreliability that delivered a potentially knock-out blow to George Russell's title hopes in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mercedes cannot take its disappointing Sepang upgrade off the car. Parc ferme rules, worn-out old parts and the cost cap all point the same way: Toto Wolff's team has to make the new W17 package work for the rest of the 2026 season.
Toto Wolff has admitted his surprise at Mercedes' major upgrade package for the Bahrain Grand Prix having appeared to take the team backwards, following an underwhelming qualifying display.
SEPANG: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was left scratching his head after his team’s upgrade package fell flat in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on Saturday, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claiming his first pole position of the season.
