Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has dismissed claims by McLaren driver Oscar Piastri that the Silver Arrows had been ‘sandbagging’ throughout pre-season testing.
On Saturday (7 March), Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli secured pole and second position on the grid ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday (8 March).
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar secured third, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth.
McLaren duo Piastri and world champion Lando Norris finished fifth and sixth, while Lewis Hamilton, Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Gabriel Bortoleto made up the top ten.
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The Mercedes team appeared visibly pleased with their performance after the action concluded on Saturday, with Russell going six-tenths of a second faster than any other driver in the field.
However, this prompted Piastri to accuse the Silver Arrows of sandbagging.
Speaking after the session, the Melbourne driver said: “I think we executed pretty well. I can’t complain from that side, but obviously we need to find a bit of time, because the sandbags were well and truly dropped.”
The term ‘sandbagging’ has been used by several drivers when discussing Mercedes ahead of the season’s opener, with many accusing the team of intentionally underperforming by slowing their car during pre-season.
But Wolff dismissed the accusation and even claimed that he was “surprised” by how well the W17 ran.
“Everybody will say that we were sandbagging or that there was much more in the pocket,” Wolff told Sky Sports.
“You can’t really sandbag, or at least we can’t do that, because you never know where the car is.
“I’m so happy that those messy ground-effect cars are gone and, finally, we can do what we are best at.”
The Austrian was then quick to praise Russell’s performance in Melbourne, saying that the Englishman has grown “in seniority and confidence” after finishing fourth in 2025.
“The cars have lost downforce but, when you look at the aerodynamic and mechanical sides, the car looks on rails, especially today,” he added.
“When the driver has confidence in the car, this is what you can do.
“It’s just the driver-car combination today, and everything worked together to put it on pole.”
The Mercedes chief then turned his attention to Antonelli’s performance but was quick to emphasise that it was “early days for Kimi to compare himself to George”.
Wolff explained: “From the raw speed, from the talent, from his ability – absolutely. But he is in his second year of Formula 1. George is nine or ten years in. You need experience all round.”
The Australian Grand Prix will take place at the Albert Park Circuit on Sunday.
Topics: Formula 1, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, George Russell
Luke Davies