Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Mercedes mind games fool nobody

In the early part of last weekend's British Grand Prix, the Mercedes pit crew was seen coming out and preparing for a pit stop, but neither Hamilton nor Rosberg appeared in the pit lane.

In reality, the initiative was a ruse to dummy Williams into bringing in their own drivers, a scenario which would have most probably compromised the latter part of the British outfit's race. Much to the Williams crew's amusement, the ploy failed miserably.

"We know that Williams has more difficulties in keeping the tyres until the end," confirmed Toto Wolff, "and we knew that triggering an early stop on lap 18 would make them think if they were able to do that and trigger them into a pit stop that would have caused them problems at the end. So it was a bit of a game, which didn’t function."

Wollf also admitted his own wife, Williams test driver Susie Wolff, was the first to mock the German team's ill-fated trick.

"She sent me a Whatsapp saying: “You guys think you can fool us? Hahaha”. So it was worth at least the entertainment."

Click here for F1i's driver ratings from the British Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.