Wolff admits missing Niki Lauda in tough times at Mercedes

Toto Wolff and Mercedes are going through a difficult period in Formula 1, with his team only achieving one victory last season. Before that, the German manufacturer was the dominant team, winning multiple drivers' and contractors' titles between 2014-2021. This year, along with last year, Mercedes seem to be facing a difficult season, and Wolff has said that he misses Niki Lauda in these difficult times.

Lost without Lauda

In 2012, Lauda joined Mercedes, and the three-time world champion managed to convince Lewis Hamilton, among others, to come to Mercedes, and we all know what a success that turned out to be. In 2019, Lauda passed away, and since his death, the German racing team has been driving with one red star on the car in memory of Niki Lauda.

Wolff spoke to Formula1.com and said that the three-time world champion is missed in these difficult times. "I’m having to think what would he have said, and how would he have positioned [things], and the two of us worked well together in that sense that sometimes oversimplification can lead you straight to the results," Wolff said.

Wolff on goals in 2023

2023, like 2022, started disappointingly for Wolff's team. Mercedes has indicated they will change the concept of the W14 as a result, which the team want to use to solve the problems with the car. The Austrian tells Formula1.com about the goals for the rest of the season.

"The goals: I’d like to win every race, but that’s not realistic. The goals are that, based on the understanding we have now, over the next iterations of updates and learning, we can shave off a lot of performance deficit, because now we know and now we have all taken a decision in which direction to go."