Toto Wolff managing expectations for Mercedes ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix

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Mercedes had their breakthrough second of the 2023 Method 1 season in Barcelona, because the staff secured their first double podium of the 12 months. Lewis Hamilton got here in second, with teammate George Russell behind him in third, and their success within the Spanish Grand Prix led to the concept that their massive upgrades to the W14 had been going to fully flip their season round.

Nevertheless, the staff has performed their greatest in latest days to tamp down expectations forward of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. In Mercedes’ debrief following the Spanish Grand Prix, Andrew Shovlin outlined how their success in Barcelona might need been a one-off occasion.

Workforce Principal Toto Wolff is enjoying the expectations sport as effectively.

Previewing the Canadian Grand Prix for the media, Wolff outlined how the circuit in Barcelona suited the upgraded W14, however issues will probably be completely different in Montreal.

“However we should additionally handle our expectations. It was a circuit that suited our automotive, and we should always anticipate our direct opponents to be stronger within the subsequent races. The hole to Crimson Bull is giant and it’ll take numerous laborious work to shut that down,” mentioned Wolff. “However, we’re up for the problem.”

The observe in Montreal may be suited to different groups, together with Crimson Bull, due to its lengthy straights and minimal turns. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has simply 13 turns, however quite a few lengthy straights and three DRS zones, which might play to Crimson Bull’s strengths:

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“We now transfer on to Montreal,” mentioned Wolff within the staff’s preview of the Canadian Grand Prix. “With its lengthy straights and low-speed corners, it’s not a observe that we anticipate to swimsuit our automotive in addition to Barcelona did.”

Nonetheless, Wolff and Mercedes are up for the struggle, and the staff boss is aware of that whatever the outcome, the can have extra information on the W14 at their disposal when the checkered flag waves.

“Regardless of the place the true tempo of the automotive is that this weekend, we are going to intention to maximise our outcome,” mentioned Wolff. “The traits of the circuit will even present additional alternative to be taught in regards to the W14 and feed into our growth path.”