Toto Wolff rejects Mercedes theory as F1 fight heats up

Toto Wolff has rejected the idea that Mercedes' best F1 result in seven races was simply down to the cold temperatures at the Azerbaijan GP. 

The two-four result through George Russell and Kimi Antonelli was Mercedes' best since it secured a one-three finish at the Canadian GP in June, with the car performing better in colder conditions over a number of years.

The result was enough to move Mercedes into second place in the constructors' championship, overhauling Ferrari, with the gap now being four points, with a resurgent Red Bull just 18 points behind the Brackley outfit.

Wolff previously went as far as to say that whenever he had to wear a jumper, Mercedes would perform better, but the team has struggled at times.

Instead, the Austrian felt the result was more focused around the track specifics, with Mercedes performing better in slower, short corners as opposed to longer ones, such as Parabolica at Monza, where the team took a five-nine finish. 

"I don't think you can simplify like this," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365, when asked if the temperature was the key factor in the result.

"I've said that when I wear a pullover, we are there, but there have been more difficult weekends in colder conditions.

"Now, obviously, the track layout suits our car. 

"There are no lots of high speed, mid-to-high speeds long corners, which are not our forte, so considering all the variables, it was certainly the track which suited us a bit more."

Wolff also addressed a move from Antonelli and Russell on the safety car restart, with Russell being forced to check up at Turn 1 as Antonelli defended his position and dropped back.

"Sometimes when you are close and next to each other, these things can happen," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365. 

"I think it was an okay situation; there wasn't any ill intent from Kimi to push [George] out. 

"Kimi left the door open a bit, but then George had to back out of it, just not to risk a collision."