Wolff gives away compliments: ''Max is the only one who understands the tyres''

In the 2023 season, we have often seen big differences between drivers from the same team in a race. One difference that stood out in Abu Dhabi was that between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has no clear explanation for these differences.

At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, George Russell finished on the podium, third, while his teammate Lewis Hamilton finished ninth. This is a big difference for drivers with the same car, but according to Toto Wolff, there is not such a big difference between the two, he told GPblog.com and others.

According to Wolff, you see differences at several drivers and teams. "You've seen it this weekend with Sainz and Leclerc, you've seen it with George and Lewis, Oscar and Lando, the obvious one is Perez and Verstappen."

He says this is down to the amount of grip you have with the tyres. If you get the tyres in a good place at the start of the weekend, you can perform. If you don't get the tyres working, you have no chance.

The Austrian does pay a big compliment to Max Verstappen. He said: "I think the only one this year who has understood how to drive these tyres is Max." The Dutchman can put this compliment in his pocket.