Mercedes trapped by 'vicious circle' - Wolff

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff conceded the Silver Arrows were trapped in a "vicious circle" by bouncing and tyre overheating issues at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The Brackley-based outfit had dealt with bouncing throughout last season and into the new campaign, before seemingly eradicating the problem when introducing a major upgrade package at the Monaco Grand Prix.

But the issues returned at Spa-Francorchamps as fourth-placed Lewis Hamilton and sixth-placed George Russell complained about bouncing across the weekend.

Limiting factor

Mercedes has been locked in battle with Aston Martin, Ferrari and now McLaren for best-of-the-rest behind Red Bull both on track and in the Constructors' standings.

But after Max Verstappen secured victory in Belgium by 22.3 seconds, Wolff told media including RacingNews365: "You can even put Perez into the equation.

"We seem to be following similar development routes but there was just one car that was faster - sometimes one and a half seconds per lap when he was pushing at the beginning of the stint.

"We are going to get on top of it. I have seen the data and spoken to the drivers and the main limiting factor was the bouncing.

"The car is bouncing on every straight. Even at Blanchimont, Lewis had to lift which is easy flat normally.

"You are bouncing on the straight, you overheat your tyres under braking so that is a vicious circle and that was the limiting factor this weekend."