Toto Wolff Refuses Ted Kravitz Interview at US Grand Prix
- Mercedes faced a challenging United States Grand Prix weekend with Lewis Hamilton qualifying 19th and George Russell crashing after Q3.
- Hamilton's performance resulted in his early exit from qualifying, while Russell's crash raised concerns about car performance.
- Toto Wolff chose not to speak with the media after the session, reflecting the team's disappointment and challenges leading into the race.
During the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Texas, Mercedes faced significant challenges. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell struggled for pace throughout the Sprint race, culminating in Hamilton's disappointing Q1 qualifying exit, where he recorded the 19th fastest time. Russell, despite making it to Q3, crashed his car at the end of the session after starting from 6th on the grid. Toto Wolff, the team principal, was visibly upset following the qualifications and declined to participate in the customary post-session interview with Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz. This poor performance was particularly disappointing for the Silver Arrows, who expected better results at such a prominent race. The team faced a daunting task ahead of the race, as both drivers had to contend with starting from lower positions on the grid, with Hamilton poised to start 18th after a poor performance. The struggles of Mercedes at this event highlighted ongoing issues with their car's performance, as both drivers expressed confusion over the lack of pace compared to previous races. The mechanics were faced with a challenging task to repair Russell's car in preparation for the race, adding to the stress felt by the team as they approached race day with a diminished opportunity for a solid finish.