Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff addressed his team’s performance during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
The Silver Arrows looked competitive throughout the sessions, potentially in a position to secure a podium in the race.
Instead, Mercedes ended up qualifying sixth and seventh, a disappointing result considering Red Bull’s ability to qualify ahead of the McLarens.
The Mercedes W16 has been faster and more consistent than the RB-21, yet it has seemingly fallen down the order and looks to be the third or fourth fastest car on the grid at Monza.
Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff walks in the paddock during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 6, 2025 in Monza, Italy.
Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff walks in the paddock during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on September 6, 2025 in Monza, Italy.
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images
Wolff voiced his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance after the session.
“I think we had a fast car, but we didn’t make any progress during the session. Everyone else improved, but we didn’t,” Wolff said.
“We had everything under control in terms of strategy, so we were hoping for more.”
During Q3, George Russell went out for his last run on a soft tire, but the Briton voiced his displeasure with the tire choice, preferring the yellow-striped medium.
Russell performed well on the medium during Q1, though Wolff believes it was a case of miscommunication that prompted Russell’s confusion over which tire was best.
“I think it was a miscommunication because we said we’d stick to our plan. The plan was to use the softs, but he thought we were on the mediums.
“That’s something we need to clarify.
When asked about which tire would have done better — the soft or medium — the Mercedes CEO believes hindsight always favors the alternative strategy.
“Yeah, of course, it’s easy to say that afterwards. He won’t be satisfied with his performance, and neither am I,” he added.
“In hindsight, you can always say the mediums might have been the better choice.”
On the positive side for Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli qualified right behind his teammate and less than a tenth away from him.
The young Italian is facing pressure from it being his home race and recent struggles in results, though he appears poised for a solid showing on Sunday.
Italian Grand Prix Qualifying Results
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- Ollie Bearman (Haas)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)