Toto Wolff understands that Mercedes still has a lot of work to do, but the results in Canada have left the team feeling that they now know which way to go in developing the W13
The 2022 Formula 1 season continues, and Mercedes will have another chance at Silverstone to confirm whether the progress seen at the Canadian Grand Prix is for real or just circumstantial. Toto Wolff reiterated that the W13 will have updates for the British race, stating, however, that the Brackley-based team now has a "clearer direction" on the car's development.
In the last round of the calendar, held in Montreal, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had strong pace during the race and finished third and fourth, respectively. The seven-time champion was even the fastest on the track at one point, repeating the performance seen in Barcelona, when Mercedes brought a large package of updates to the W13.
Wolff said that "while satisfied with the flashes of speed that the W13 has shown, there is still a mountain to be climbed." "It takes a lot of work to get ahead, but now we have a clearer direction. We are focused on finding even more performance as the season progresses," stressed the Silver Arrows boss.
Mercedes had already said that their goal for 2022 is to win again, but they know that to do so they need to close the gap they still have with Ferrari and Red Bull. "We know that the first two teams have a considerable advantage. Our challenge is to close that gap," Wolff stressed.
"Silverstone has been a good place for us in the past. We have some improvements coming, and it's a smoother track. We intend to take another step forward," he added.
Finally, the Austrian said that it will be important to have the support of the base officials during the weekend in England. "The fans are very passionate and experienced, and it's also our local race, with Brackley and Brixworth close by. Our team members will be watching from the stands on Friday and seeing the result of all their hard work, which is quite exciting," he concluded.