Wolff balks after sprint qualifying: 'Thought we could take pole'

Toto Wolff is disappointed after sprint qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix. The Mercedes team principal had hopes of pole position, but it did not materialise.

Mercedes have been doing well in recent weeks. Whereas the Silver Arrows were previously struggling to understand the car, it seems they are making strides every week. During sprint qualifying in Austria, George Russell finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth.

However, Wolff thinks that more was possible: "It was a good session for us, qualifying not so, but it's clear, expectations are different now. We thought that we could play for pole but Verstappen was far too quick. The McLarens, like they've done in the past, they just have been able to do it with a strong lap."

When Wolff was then asked about what his goal is for the sprint race, he answered, "I think that sprint is difficult to judge, but when you look at the packing order and qualifying that's probably what it is also the race."