Toto Wolff, Mercedes' new shareholder and director, has played down claims the Silver Arrows is a definite title contender for 2013. The Brackley based team had played down its chances until the last two days of pre-season testing, when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg stunned the paddock with the pace of the new W04.
"Mercedes looks very strong," Ferrari technical director Pat Fry is quoted by Speed Week. But Austrian Wolff said of the raised expectations: "I have to dampen them because they are quite simply not realistic."
He said winter testing is not a good form guide, particularly if some teams are deliberately hiding their performance. "Red Bull for example showed nothing," said Wolff. "We won't know until Melbourne what's really going on," he told the German news agency DPA.
Team newcomer Hamilton, meanwhile, also seemed initially excited by the late-Barcelona test pace, admitting he now expects to win a race. But Spain's El Confidential quotes him as saying: "There's no reason to be impressed. People should not get excited. It's important for everyone to have their feet on the ground."
Teammate Rosberg, in contrast, has sounded upbeat throughout the winter, openly admitting the W04 is much better than its 2012 predecessor. But the real question is how it will stack up against the competition. "Amongst others, the big unknown is Red Bull," the German is quoted as saying. (GMM)
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Wolff trying to 'dampen unrealistic expectations' for Mercedes
- Published on 05 Mar 2013 13:45
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
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Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
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Jan 27
M. Verstappen
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Jan 28
A. Antonelli
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Jan 29
G. Russell
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Jan 30
L. Hamilton
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
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Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
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Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
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Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
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Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
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Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
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Bahrain International Circuit
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Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
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26 - Jun 28
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Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
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Silverstone
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Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
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Circuit Zandvoort
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