Toto Wolff credited a combination of upgrades and favorable track characteristics for Mercedes’ dominant Canadian Grand Prix performance, which saw George Russell take victory and rookie Kimi Antonelli secure a podium.
Despite expectations that cooler weather would aid Mercedes, the team excelled even in high temperatures. Wolff pointed to Montreal’s smooth asphalt and lack of high-speed corners—areas where the W16 struggles—as key factors, along with the reintroduction of a revised rear suspension first tested in Imola.
“We brought the new rear geometry to address tyre overheating,” said Wolff. “It wasn’t a magic fix, but it worked better here because the track suited us.”
He cautioned against overconfidence, noting that performance has varied dramatically between circuits. “Austria will be a whole new challenge,” he said. “We’ve ticked the box for Canada. Now all focus is on the next race.”
With 40 points scored in Montreal, Mercedes moved ahead of Ferrari to second in the Constructors’ standings, though they still trail leaders McLaren by 175 points.
