Wolff warns Verstappen: ‘Lewis’ rocket engine back in his next race car’

Toto Wolff issues a warning to Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. In a week and a half, during the first Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, Lewis Hamilton’s “rocket engine” that he used in Brazil will be used again.

The seven-times world champion accepted a penalty in Brazil but managed to win the race on Sunday. Toto Wolff stated that he also won in Qatar last weekend, but that was not the bike he used last week.

Despite it being a different bike, Hamilton beat Verstappen for pole position by 0.455sec, and also won the race without much effort. Verstappen finished second, but saw his championship lead shrink from 14 to 8 points.

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Speaking to Sky F1, the Mercedes team principal said: “Saudi Arabia should be a good track for us, but we know this year if you think it’s a good track it could turn in the other direction.”

“It’s a long track so we’ll be sending our rocket engine to Saudi Arabia because we didn’t use it in Qatar. Hopefully, Valtteri Bottas can also get back into good shape because we’ll need him so badly in the next races. If they both make it to the finish, we’ll at least go to Abu Dhabi. With every chance for a championship.”

When asked if Mercedes’ package is currently the best of the season, Wolff replied: “Yes for sure. I think the car is quick to straighten and good in corners. On the old tires the deterioration is good – even during the races in the Middle East and two more.”

“I think we have to attack as much as possible. We have to catch up and get points and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”