The curtain has fallen on the 2022 Formula 1 season. For the second year in a row, Max Verstappen dominated the proceedings. Mercedes has been at the top for several years, but has remained in the background. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were never really a threat, as was the case in their last race in Abu Dhabi last Sunday.
For its last race of the year, Mercedes experienced a real ordeal. George Russell finished fifth, well behind winner Max Verstappen. As for Lewis Hamilton, he did not even finish the race, betrayed by his gearbox. In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes finished a disappointing third, behind Ferrari and Red Bull. When it came time to take stock, Toto Wolff showed his annoyance.
“This Grand Prix was not good at all”
The Mercedes boss returned to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the pitiful performance of his two drivers.
“This Grand Prix was not good for us at all. We made too many mistakes and we didn’t have the pace we were hoping for. In the end, our first car was forced to retire while the second car was struggling with its tyres,” he said in a quote reported by Actu F1.
A rude awakening
A terrible blow for the Silver Arrows, who dominated Formula 1 from 2014 to 2020.
“We blew the tyres in the first few laps. Our car was good but the front end didn’t follow. We knew that Abu Dhabi would be difficult for us. After Brazil, where everything was perfect from start to finish, it was a rude awakening,” said Toto Wolff, already looking ahead to 2023.
Mercedes looks forward to 2023
“First of all, we will bring the cars back to Brackley so that every day we see them we are reminded of what a difficult season 2022 was for us. Thanks to everyone who stayed in the factories. It was a season where we had to toughen up.
“We kept pushing hard, and our engine was excellent this year. The good times were spectacular, it made us feel how tasty it can be. We also suffered but we accept that. Next year we’ll be back,” said a vengeful Toto Wolff.
I would say that Mercedes was a threat in the last GP this season. Hamilton was a contender. I think his car suffered some damage when he ran over that curb. I’m definitely looking forward to next season!
I remain unconvinced there was anything wrong with LH ‘s car. First one thing, then another then then another. I could see the gear selector number. So could you, and any one who cared to look. The only problem was the driver. Any fair minded observer saw plenty of evidence he was well past his best. Have a look.
Yeah, sure. You are free to have your own opinion. Your right. I guess the Merecedes car this year was faster than the Red Bull car. Its just that Lewis is past his prime and can’t drive anymore. LMAO
I’d make a comment about the blatant inaccuracy in the 2nd sentence, but it will either be deleted or not even posted in the first place 🤣
Impotent anger, not cold anger. Toto sounds like the aged bull in the story, that makes threatening noises to let the younger, virile bull know that he is not a cow. Eight years of domination obtained by cheating and collusion of the FIA had made Toto feel so arrogant and superior that he cannot come to terms with the harsh reality of today. In spite of any number of shenanigans, aided by a FIA of course, MB could not do much this year. No wonder Toto and Hamilton keep praising Sulayem at every conceivable opportunity to get his acquiescence in all of FIA’s decisions shamelessly favouring MB . The matter of the costcap leak is only one blatant example of Sulayem’s partiality.
We had the best, closest run season in 2002. In future, F1 will become still closer and infinitely more interesting if Toto and Hamilton were to disappear from the scene.
“Eight years of domination obtained by cheating and collusion of the FIA had made Toto feel so arrogant and superior that he cannot come to terms with the harsh reality of today. In spite of any number of shenanigans, aided by a FIA of course,”
Whatever you are smoking, can you pass it around.
You are of course working on the assumption that he has any left!
He is one of the more comical ones round here – nasty sometimes however