Back to the Auto Racing Newsfeed

Toto Wolff calls Mercedes start 'extremely painful'

Formula One champions Mercedes are going through an "exercise in humility" after years of success but they will be stronger for it, team boss Toto Wolff said after more pain in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Mercedes' seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton finished 10th, the last of the points-paying positions, after failing to make it through the first phase of qualifying at Jeddah's Corniche street circuit.

Hamilton said that was 'gutting', while new team mate George Russell, fifth, said it was time for more than 'baby steps'.

Resurgent Ferrari lead the constructors' standings after two races, with Charles Leclerc top of the drivers' championship after leading a one-two win in Bahrain and taking second place in Saudi Arabia.