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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 12: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff smiles as he speaks with members of the media next to St Kilda beach during previews to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on March 12, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 12: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff smiles as he speaks with members of the media next to St Kilda beach during previews to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix on March 12, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Despite enduring a tough practice session earlier today, Mercedes got their act together in the first Friday qualifying session since 2003. Although Max Verstappen put on another strong showing, Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for F1’s first sprint race tomorrow.
While the Briton lifted Mercedes’ spirits, CEO Toto Wolff admitted their setup helped them strike back today.
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Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff content with their performance in qualifying
Although Hamilton claimed pole, his time was just 0.07s quicker than Verstappen’s. Despite Red Bull’s pace threatening their title defence, this result for the Silver Arrows might just be what they needed in an intense title fight.
In addition, Valtteri Bottas‘ P3 classification aids their strategy to attack Verstappen in tomorrow’s sprint race. With Sergio Perez starting fifth, the pressure is on championship leader Verstappen to try and win the sprint race to start at the front of the grid.
However, Hamilton also faces the pressure to deliver in front of a capacity crowd at Silverstone. Should the Briton finish second best to his Dutch rival tomorrow, he faces the risk of slipping further back in the driver’s championship.
Despite their turbulent season, Wolff believes Mercedes made a positive step in terms of progress today. In addition, he also issued an indirect warning to Red Bull ahead of tomorrow’s sprint race.
Toto said that they focused their setup on the Sunday race and that for him it looks like Red Bull might have made a step backwards
— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) July 16, 2021
He said, “The empire strikes back. It‘s “just” qualifying. But maybe we unlocked something.” However, he also admitted the Silver Arrows focusing on their race setup might have made Red Bull take a step back.
Can the Silver Arrows upstage Red Bull this weekend?
Although Mercedes looked quick in qualifying, Red Bull come into Silverstone with better form. In fact, the Austrian outfit have five race wins on the trot, with Verstappen taking four of those. However, if there’s one track the Silver Arrows can bounce back at, it’s Silverstone.
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Formula One F1 – British Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain – July 16, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebrates after finishing first in the sprint race qualifying REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
With Hamilton winning a record seven races at his home track, today’s pole position might just be the boost he needs to bounce back this season. However, with free tire choices allowed for the sprint race, all eyes will be on his battle with Verstappen.
READ MORE: British GP Qualifying Report: Hamilton Takes F1 Pole But Russell Steals Limelight at Silverstone
