Toto Wolff: “We felt the wind of defeat”

This is the first time this season that you have missed the double. Who will take responsibility for this failure?

It’s me (laughing). All teams stop winning one day! Lining up 1-2, even 1-3 like today, is not a normal thing in the most competitive of motoring disciplines and that is why we constantly expect to be defeated. This is exactly why we are not letting up and why we will be back in action in Montreal (June 7-9. Editor’s note)

Why did you take the risk of Medium tires for Lewis?

Because we were wrong! I had a discussion with James Vowles (chief strategist) and Mediums were the wrong choice. We thought they would go through with it, and that wasn't the case. Lewis saved us. His piloting saved us.

What was their expected lifespan?

The calculations were that if we moved to Mediums from round 15 or 16, they would go all the way with the right management. Lewis being in the lead, it was a fairly logical strategy and one that should not pose a problem. However, with 40 laps to go, we started to notice graining on the left front.

Lewis complained about the resulting understeer, and it became clear that it was going to be very difficult to go all the way. There were discussions. I pointed out that 40 laps here was like 20 elsewhere, and that we had to stay calm. With twenty laps to go, there was no rubber left on the carcass and the understeer was enormous in the low-speed corners. The car was no longer running.

What could stop you from winning all the remaining races?

Lots of things ! Today we felt the wind of defeat. Considering that we were on a track where it is impossible to pass, Max still almost succeeded. It was a close call. We have to admit that there are things to learn from this Monaco Grand Prix. If we find ourselves in the same situation in Montreal, we will be behind.

Valtteri Bottas is now relegated to 17 points in the championship. Could this affect his mind?

He could have won this race and the previous one. Max lost two places due to the pit maneuver and subsequent penalty. He made Bottas lose second place, and the double to Mercedes. Still, we are very happy with the result. Valtteri can only emerge stronger from this weekend where he had the pace to be on pole, and P2 at least in the race. This place was taken from him.

How do you think Niki Lauda would have ended this weekend?

By its traditional “Hello wankers, see you in two weeks! »