Toto Wolff admits that Mercedes' result at the Austrian Grand Prix Sprint race was "disappointing" following their earlier promise during the weekend. The team had looked strong at times on Friday, before both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell suffered crashes in Q3 of qualifying. This meant that Russell started the Sprint from P4 while Hamilton lined up in P9, with each driver promoted a place due to Sergio Perez receiving a penalty that pushed him down to 13th. Russell maintained his position to the end of the race, while Hamilton slipped down the order on the opening lap following contact with Pierre Gasly. The Briton fought his way back through and had a close battle with the Haas of Mick Schumacher en route to claiming eighth, meaning that he took home the final point on offer.
Wolff felt Mercedes were "lacking pace"
Reflecting on Hamilton's battle with Schumacher in the race, Wolff could understand why the Haas driver fought so fiercely. "He needs to fight for the position," Wolff told Sky Sports F1 . "They have an advantage, because we are so draggy, and maybe also a bit [with] the performance here. So overall, he needs to do that." Russell was able to hold onto P4, despite Perez cutting into his advantage towards the end of the Sprint. However, Wolff still felt disheartened by the W13's lack of pace at the Red Bull Ring. "[It's] still disappointing," the team boss said. "We are just lacking pace here. Contrary to what we had in the previous races, where we were really good on Sunday, here somehow it didn't go."
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