Mercedes' advantage in the Chinese Grand Prix » Toto Wolff: “Our gap is good”

Ashley Davis13/03/2026

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Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Friday, March 13, 2026, 9:02 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 13, 2026, 9:02 p.m.

Toto Wolff, the boss of the Mercedes team, explained the superiority of his drivers in the qualifying for the sprint race of the Chinese Grand Prix by the better performance of the single-seater W17 in the corners of the circuit in Shanghai.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will start from the front row in the sprint race in China. The Brit was fastest in all qualifying sessions and set a very good time: 1:31.520. He was 0.289 quicker than his teammate and had a 0.6 gap to Lando Norris, driver of McLaren, client team Mercedes.

Mercedes advantage in China: “McLaren and the other teams have the same propulsion system and the same software”

“Our advantage here in China is in the corners. McLaren and the other teams have the same propulsion system and the same software. I'm satisfied, because our difference to the others is good. I think that Pierre Gasly did the best on the straights with Alpine,” said Toto Wolff, according to sportal.bg.

Wolff also commented on Mercedes' relations with the teams it supplies powertrains to, after McLaren boss Andrea Stella complained about working with the world champions' supplier.

“Each one works according to a different concept and, without going into too much detail, at McLaren some decisions have been made that are different from ours, for example with regard to gear ratios. This can be good or bad. The factory teams have an advantage, but it is a matter of time. The others have the same propulsion system and software. I have no doubt that McLaren will be fighting for positions at the top of the standings very soon,” said the head of Mercedes.