Wolff keeping Mercedes 'calm and humble' despite dominant win

©WRI

40

Mercedes looked to be back in business in Barcelona this weekend, but team boss Toto Wolff insists the Silver Arrows outfit had a lot going for it in Spain.

Lewis Hamilton's lights-to-flag win, achieved with a comfortable advantage over team mate Valtteri Bottas and Mercedes' rivals Red Bull and Ferrari, suggests all is well once again at the German team after a winless first three races.

Wolff felt relieved by Sunday's dominant display but underlined the favourable set of conditions by which it was accomplished.

"It feels like a long time since we had a 1-2 finish, so there's definitely a measure of relief in how we asserted ourselves," said Wolff.

"But we know as well that this was a good circuit for us and the temperatures fell in our favour as well.

Bottas worried about Mercedes' prospects for Monaco

"So we need to stay calm and humble, because it can be a different ball game again next time round.

"We will savour the result - but our thoughts are already turning to Monaco, to the struggles we had there last year and to how we can make sure not to suffer a repeat."

Wolff admitted that running a one stop strategy that involved a very long stint on the medium tyre was somewhat of a gamble, and one that produced a fair amount on anxiety in the German camp during the closing stages of the race.

©WRI

"For Valtteri, we tried to overcut in the first stint and just missed out on passing Vettel," explained Wolff.

"Then when Sebastian took the chance to pit again under the VSC, we decided to do the opposite and take the medium tyre to the finish.

"That involved running the tyre a long way, a little bit into the unknown with over 45 laps to do on it, and we had our hearts in our mouths in the final laps as there were some vibrations on the front axle as well.

"Valtteri did the perfect job to manage the load on the left front and the falling tyre temperatures on old tyres, and sealed a really special one-two finish."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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.