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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Daniel Ricciardo taking the fastest lap point away from Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix was not a dirty play. Norris dominated the race in Singapore…
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended Daniel Ricciardo’s move to take the fastest lap point from Lando Norris at the Singapore Grand Prix, stating it was not a dirty play. Norris was leading the race and had the fastest lap when Ricciardo pitted for soft tires and set the fastest lap, denying Norris the extra point. McLaren’s Zak Brown questioned Red Bull’s decision-making process, considering their ownership of the team, while Wolff downplayed any controversy, emphasizing that playing all strategies is part of the game. Despite Mercedes’ disappointing finish in Singapore with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in fourth and sixth respectively, Wolff acknowledged the team’s struggles with hot and traction-demanding tracks, expressing disappointment with their performance. Wolff admitted they misread the race by starting Hamilton on soft tires in hopes of gaining an advantage, reflecting on the team’s decision-making and the need to address the underlying issues affecting their pace. Ultimately, Wolff emphasized the importance of facing the reality of being outperformed when a car is not up to speed, acknowledging the challenges they need to overcome.
