Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the team has been less competitive than expected at the Hockenheimring, despite Lewis Hamilton taking pole position.

Ferrari were consistently the fastest test throughout practice, but both its cars were struck down by technical problems in qualifying.

Mercedes brought an aerodynamic upgrade for its W10 this weekend which was partly aimed at solving its cooling problem. “We were expecting to be much more competitive this weekend,” said Wolff. “We put a very solid upgrade package onto the car.”

Wolff acknowledged that “straight-line speed would go against us in Hockenheim” but expected that the car’s strength in the slower corners at the end of the lap would help tip the balance in their favour. However Ferrari looked a strong threat for pole position until they hit trouble.

“Fundamentally we are not happy with our own performance and [it] could have looked much different if Ferrari would have finished the qualifying,” said Wolff.

He said the team must work out hot to get the most from its new upgrade before the next round in Hungary.

“It’s not understood [yet]. I think we see that the upgrade package has delivered, we see that on the pressure cappings.

“But there are so many factors to consider: Whe specific circuit layout, the Tarmac, the heat. Have we completely understood how to tune the car for the aero upgrade? So there’s many variables we need to find out and analyse before going to Budapest.”

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2019 F1 season