Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff did not hold back in his assessment of the team`s qualifying performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, branding it as “abysmal”. This strong reaction followed both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli failing to secure a spot in the top 10 shootout (Q3).
It was a disappointing session, marking the first time in over three years that both Mercedes drivers were eliminated before Q3 in the same race. Kimi Antonelli`s qualifying effort was cut short by a crash in Q1, while a technical issue tragically ended George Russell`s session during Q2.
Russell is set to start Sunday`s race from 14th position. Antonelli will line up just one place behind him in 15th, despite having posted a time quick enough to advance from Q1 before his late crash.
Reflecting on the outcome, Wolff`s summation was brief but pointed:
“Abysmal.”
He elaborated slightly on the team`s struggles and the drivers` issues:
“We just started to have a car that went and these mistakes, they happen whether they are a senior driver or not.”
Regarding Russell`s issue, Wolff indicated the need for investigation:
“When it comes to George we need to find out what happened on the engine.”
Mercedes, currently holding second place in the Constructors` Championship after seven rounds, had faced difficulties with pace during the practice sessions in Monaco. However, they showed signs of finding some form as qualifying commenced.
Looking ahead to the race, a new rule in Monaco dictates that each driver must use three distinct tire compounds, requiring a minimum of two pit stops barring any red flag periods. Wolff suggested this mandatory strategy element could introduce variables that might benefit Mercedes:
“We are hoping to have a reverse grid or something!” he joked. “With this mandatory two stops, there are a few variables.”
George Russell`s Frustration
George Russell`s qualifying session was abruptly ended at the beginning of Q2 when his Mercedes lost electrical power after hitting a bump exiting Ste Devote. The car eventually came to a halt in the tunnel.
This failure occurred just six days after Antonelli`s retirement from the Emilia Romagna GP due to a throttle problem. Russell voiced his frustration:
“Two races, two problems. It`s obviously not good. Totally different reasons.”
He described the incident:
“I was on a straight and hit the bump. The bump was there all this weekend but on this occasion, the engine stopped working.”
Russell highlighted his disappointment, particularly in Monaco:
“I`m really frustrated right now. Qualifying here is the most exciting of the season and from lap one in Q1, I felt back in the game. I felt strong in the car.”
He felt confident before the technical issue struck:
“I had no doubt we could have been fighting for a good position.”
Despite the potential for strategic variation with the new tire rule, a pessimistic Russell suggested opportunities would be limited from his starting position:
“I think you will see half of the drivers will go one direction, half will go in the other so there`s not much you can do from this position.”
He added that the rule isn`t revolutionary:
“Two pit stops for Monaco is not normal but two pit stops in many other races is very normal, so there`s not going to be any revelations.”
Russell concluded with a candid reflection on the team`s preparation and current standing:
“We were preparing from the front few grid positions. We didn’t have any strategy plans from P14 and P15. We are here now and that’s not good.”
Kimi Antonelli Takes Responsibility for Crash
Rookie driver Kimi Antonelli will start directly behind his teammate, and his early exit from qualifying in Q1 was a result of his own error. He damaged his car`s front-left suspension by hitting the Armco barrier at the harbourside chicane on his final timed lap.
Antonelli admitted the mistake:
“It was a very unnecessary and costly mistake,” he stated. “A shame to end the session like this.”
He took full responsibility for the incident:
“I feel sorry for the team because that was fully on me.”
The 18-year-old suggested that given their poor grid positions, the team would need to consider unconventional strategies for the race:
“We need to think a lot differently,” he said.
He elaborated on the need for a different approach:
“Also because we did not expect to start this far back with both cars, so definitely we have to do something crazy. I will need to speak with the team in order to make up as many places as possible.”
