Bottas second fastest on first morning
Thursday 13 December 2018 16:31, UK
Toto Wolff declared himself content with the start world champions Mercedes made on day one of winter testing in Barcelona.
Valtteri Bottas was second fastest in the morning session at the Circuit de Catalunya, completing 58 laps with a best time of 1:20.349 on the medium tyre.
The Finn's time was around two tenths slower than the fastest lap, a 1:20.179, recorded by Daniel Ricciardo in the new Red Bull.
On an unseasonably cold day in Spain, less than four tenths of a second split the top four drivers at the lunch break, with Kimi Raikkonen third for Ferrari and Nico Hulkenberg fourth on an encouraging morning for Renault.
While testing times are notoriously unreliable, Wolff believes the very early running points to an intriguing season ahead.
"It was a solid start. It's difficult to judge because it is very cold and everybody just collects data and sees how they get on," Wolff told Sky Sports.
"It's interesting to see there are a couple of cars that have been able to post quick times this morning so we are up for an interesting season."
Wolff famously dubbed Mercedes' 2017 car a 'diva' due to the W08's varying performances from circuit to circuit but the Austrian explained why their W09 is an evolution rather than a switch to the design philosophies of rivals Ferrari and Red Bull.
Mercedes' 2018 car has retained its longer wheelbase and while it is running a marginally higher rake to its predecessor, the main overhaul has been on its aerodynamic package.
"We had the quickest car last year I believe because from the simple record in terms of pole positions and race wins we were very solid," Wolff added.
"You need to stick to your concept and follow your own strategy and do what's right and that is what we have done."
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Mercedes have won both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships the past four years and while some fear another year of dominance from the Silver Arrows may turn fans away from the sport, Wolff has no intention of resting on his laurels.
"From a fan's perspective, I can absolutely understand that you cheer for the underdog, you want it to be more variable, you want to have more drivers and teams winning," Wolff said.
"But I am not sitting on the fence. I'm responsible for Mercedes and I want to do well and I want to do well for the brand and for our team and that is why I'm giving it my best go at being successful."
The Sky Sports F1 Digital team will be providing live commentary from dawn until dusk for all days of winter testing while Sky Sports News will also deliver live updates from trackside.
