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“Going back to Australia is something everyone looks forward to”- Mercedes boss Toto Wolff speaks about the importance and prestige of the Australian GP

Somin Bhattacharjee
Published

“I love competition and I’ve always loved competition" - Toto Wolff appalled at how Mercedes has gone from being 8-times world champion to markedly behind Ferrari and Red Bull

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admits that the entire team and all of F1 looks forward to visiting Australia every single year. 

Formula 1 returns to Australia next weekend after a two-year gap. The annual spectacle in Melbourne got cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid 19 pandemic, but it’s finally back now.

The government of Victoria announced the easing of Covid restrictions in the city. Subsequently, F1 made the announcement that they would indeed be racing around Albert Park this year.

In the most recent installment of the Australian GP, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton took pole position. In the race however, his then teammate Valtteri Bottas finished P1.

This year, Mercedes aren’t the dominant force they’ve been for the last eight years. They’re struggling for pace behind the Ferraris and Red Bulls, and will be looking to make as big a stride as possible in the coming weekend.

Also read: Niko Hulkenberg predicts a slow start to the 2022 season for Sebastian Vettel

Australia has always been part of the travelling circus, says Mercedes boss Toto Wolff

In a recent interview with Speedcafe.com, Wolff admitted that everyone in F1 always looks forward to racing in Australia. Albert Park had been hosting the first race of the season for several years before it’s last-moment cancellation in 2020.

The Austrian went on to praise the sport’s fanbase in Australia, and how they’ve always been part of the ‘traveling circus.’

“Really, it’s extremely important,” he said while highlighting the Australian GP’s importance. “Formula 1 has a great fan base there and has always been part of the circus.”

Even though he’s looking forward to being in Melbourne, Wolff is wary of his team’s poor outings in the first two rounds. As a result, he says that his excitement only comes from a neutral perspective.

“To be coming back there is something that everybody is always looking forward to,” he added. “Less so me at the moment, but you know if I take my Mercedes hat off. “It’s a great place and we love to be in Australia.”

Mercedes are currently third in the standings behind Ferrari and Red Bull.

Also read: Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer admits their team is better off not supplying engines to other F1 teams

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Formula 1 Editor Somin Bhattacharjee fell for the sport as well as Fernando Alonso on the same day — during the Spaniard’s thrilling victory at the German GP in 2010. Over the years, the passion magnified manyfold, and metamorphosed into a writing career in 2021. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. He has penned over 2,700 articles for TheSportsRush, presenting a diverse range — news reports, opinions, and exclusives. A true Tiffosi, Somin never gives up on a chance to defend the Ferrari boys as a fan. As a sports writer though, he remains objective to the core and relishes opportunities to follow and engage in dissecting the action during races. That’s where the real thrill lies for him. Beyond the racetrack, Somin plays different sports including soccer. He enjoys exploring other sporting events and proudly supports Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.

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