JUST IN : Toto Wolff celebrates Mercedes 1-2-3 at Chinese Grand Prix…read more
Toto Wolff was left momentarily amused and slightly stunned after Mercedes appeared to have secured a remarkable one-two-three result in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Building on their commanding performance at the season opener in Melbourne, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team once again demonstrated their qualifying strength in China by locking out the front row. This time, however, it was rising star Kimi Antonelli who claimed pole position, underlining the team’s impressive depth of talent.
Antonelli delivered a composed and clinical lap in Q3 to edge out his more experienced team-mate, George Russell. Russell’s session had been compromised by gearshift issues earlier in qualifying, leaving him with limited time to extract the maximum from his car. Despite the setback, he managed to secure second place on the grid, finishing just two tenths of a second behind Antonelli. The result ensured another front-row lockout for the Silver Arrows and reinforced their status as early championship contenders.
However, it was Team Principal Toto Wolff who provided one of the lighter moments of the day. In a video shared by Mercedes on social media, Wolff was seen studying the timing screens shortly after the session concluded. The top three names displayed were Antonelli, Russell, and Lewis Hamilton. For a brief instant, Wolff appeared to believe that Mercedes had achieved an extraordinary one-two-three result.
“I actually thought for a moment that we have three cars — first, second and third. Need to get used to it,” Wolff remarked with a smile, acknowledging the confusion.
The reason for the mix-up was Hamilton’s presence in third place. Although the seven-time world champion’s name sat alongside two Mercedes drivers on the timing screen, he is now competing for Scuderia Ferrari following his high-profile move away from Mercedes. Seeing Hamilton’s name among the frontrunners clearly triggered a reflex reaction from Wolff, given the Briton’s long and successful association with the Brackley-based outfit.
When reminded that Hamilton was now dressed in Ferrari red rather than Mercedes silver, Wolff responded emphatically: “Still our driver.” The comment reflected both the enduring bond between Hamilton and his former team and the significant legacy they built together during one of Formula 1’s most dominant eras.
While the moment provided a touch of humor, Mercedes’ performance in Shanghai was no laughing matter. With another front-row lockout secured, the team has once again signaled its intent to remain at the forefront of the grid in the 2026 season.
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