Toto Wolff Says Mercedes Needs Perfect Conditions to Fix Big Issue

Toto Wolff says the Mercedes Formula 1 team needs the “stars to align” to solve a recurring issue that has followed them from last season into the current campaign. Mercedes began 2025 in strong form, sitting third in the Constructors’ standings after nine rounds.

However, one persistent problem remains: their car performs much better in cooler track temperatures and often struggles once conditions warm up. This trend was clear in 2024, when the team’s best results came in races like the British Grand Prix.

At Silverstone that year, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured a front-row lockout in qualifying, and Hamilton went on to win the race.

Another standout weekend came in Las Vegas when cooler conditions helped Russell dominate, finishing first while Mercedes claimed a one-two finish.

But the car’s weaknesses have resurfaced in hot weather. In the heat of Saudi Arabia and at Imola, Mercedes found it tough to manage tyre wear, and both drivers reported problems with grip and balance throughout race weekends.

So far in 2025, Mercedes has continued to show this temperature-based split in form. At Melbourne, rain played a big part as Russell and his teammate delivered the team’s best two-car finish of the season, coming home third and fourth behind the McLaren duo.

But the points gap to the front is significant. After nine races, George Russell is 75 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri—equivalent to three full race wins.

Mercedes currently holds 159 points in the Constructors’ table, trailing McLaren with 362 and Ferrari with 165.

Team Principal Toto Wolff explained the situation, summarizing that the team’s performance is “still fast in the cold and slow in the hot.”

He emphasized how Mercedes needs several factors to come together perfectly if they are to be at the sharp end of qualifying, saying the drivers just don’t feel confident with the car right now. Wolff added that while it’s not about being surprised or disappointed anymore, the reality is a fact the team must confront.

He pointed to the positive start to 2025 compared to last year but admitted that not being competitive in all conditions is a challenge they must overcome—especially with brand-new technical rules arriving in 2026.

Addressing the long-term nature of the problem, Wolff admitted Mercedes had hoped to solve these issues ahead of the new regulations.

He acknowledged that progress has been made, but the dependence on ambient temperatures still affects their ability to fight for top results on every track.

While Mercedes remains committed to improving race-to-race, large differences show up as soon as the weather changes, making consistency difficult.

With upcoming races in Canada, Austria, Britain, Belgium, and Hungary, conditions are likely to vary again, testing Mercedes’ adaptability. The drivers and team continue to push for answers, aiming to find a more reliable setup that works regardless of the forecast.

As the 2025 season progresses, Mercedes hopes that the next updates will finally bring the consistency they need to challenge for more wins—and keep them in the fight before the next era of Formula 1 begins.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.