© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Toto Wolff says progress through the field will be “tough” for Lewis Hamilton, but on the positive side, Red Bull’s long run pace seems “worse than on a single lap”.
Despite qualifying in P1, Lewis Hamilton will have to start the Turkish Grand Prix from P11, due to an engine related ten-place grid penalty.
After qualifying Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was asked if he believes Lewis will be able to cut through the field tomorrow.
“I hope so, but yesterday in the long run, we were at a certain stage behind a Haas, and also a Williams,” the Austrian told Sky Sports F1.
“It was very difficult to even come close, so I guess that strategy is more going to be the one that’s going to help.”
On the positive side, Valtteri Bottas will start the race from pole, ahead of Max Verstappen.
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“We need to look at the positives that the car is very quick and Valtteri can start from pole. On the negative side, it’s a weekend where we could have had a front-row lockout and we haven’t.
“Lewis needs to go to the back and it’s not going to be easy with all the cars running on Medium [tyres] in front of him, apart from [Yuki] Tsunoda. Progress will be a tough one.”
Another positive is the fact that Red Bull doesn’t seem to be very strong on long runs.
“We have to look after ourselves. Valtteri wants to win the race and this is the best opportunity, and it’s helping Lewis.
“Red Bull haven’t been so competitive this weekend and, over the long runs, it was worse than on a single lap,” concluded Wolff.
