Wolff denies worry amid Ferrari fight: 'I was only stressed once in F1'

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has denied that he was feeling stressed amid his squad's fight with Ferrari for second in the Constructors' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Garand Prix. Mercedes entered the weekend four points ahead of the Italian squad and managed to hold onto the position at the end of the race. George Russell's run to third place and Lewis Hamilton crossing the line in ninth was enough to ensure it kept a grasp on the runner-up spot. The Brackley-based squad was aided by a five-second time penalty for Sergio Perez, which promoted Russell onto the podium. With the permutations constantly changing throughout the 58-lap race, Wolff has asserted that he wasn't feeling under pressure. “No, I was not stressed,” Wolff told Sky Sports . “I was stressed once in my life in Formula 1 and that was here a few years ago [in 2021]. “But that it was a fight for P2. In a way, it's super positive for us as a team and for many a reward to be vice-champion. But it also reminds you that it's P2.”

Wolff praises Leclerc

Charles Leclerc allowed Perez by in the final laps to allow him clear air to build a gap to finish ahead of Russell with his time penalty. The tactic ultimately didn't work as Perez couldn't build enough of a gap to best Russell, allowing Mercedes to seal the title. Wolff has commended Leclerc for not driving even more slowly and hampering Russell's pace. “I think it was a great end in the fight for P2,” Wolff added. “I think that George's driving was exceptional. “I also think that Charles at the end, it was sportsman-like behaviour, not trying to slow down George. Two great teams two great brands that fought until the end.”