Wolff believes Mercedes still have a "strategic advantage" over Red Bull
F1 News
Toto Wolff was probably expecting his two drivers to be on the front row for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as they have been so often this season. However, it didn't end that way, as Max Verstappen put in an incredible lap to take his first pole of the season.
"I don't know how much distance there was between first and third but maybe 2 metres," Horner told Sky Sports. We heard Wolff over the radio encouraging Valtteri Bottas as he went for pole, which is unusual. Wolff said: "It's always tricky when you talk to the driver before qualifying and the race but it's something that we discussed and he said that he needed a little feedback from you is always good.
"It's difficult because I have never talked to the drivers because I felt that from my experience that it's a bit distracting but it's different with him.
"We had a good talk and I think after the championship was lost it's difficult to cope with that and that is why he said let's talk a bit more.
Wolff believes that despite missing pole, Mercedes still have a strategic advantage thanks to having two cars in the top three, with Alex Albon fifth: "It's good. We have two, but also you don't know how Alex is going to come out in the first lap. P2 and P3 so we have a little strategic advantage and let's see how it pans out."