The Austrian was compelled to skip each the current Japanese and Qatar Grands Prix on account of knee surgical procedure required following a coaching accident.
Whereas Wolff saved a detailed eye on proceedings from again at residence whereas he recovered, it was famous that at each occasions there seemed to be public stress between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
In Suzuka, Hamilton and Russell got here near colliding of their battle for positions earlier than some heated radio messages late within the race about staff orders. Then, at Losail, the pair collided on the first flip.
Wolff stated Mercedes has internally joked concerning the driver troubles kicking off whereas the boss was away, however he was clear there was no hyperlink.
“I do not suppose so,” he stated, when requested by Autosport if his absence had been an element. “We have laughed about that, too, within the staff. However I do not suppose it has an impact.
“I feel we’re racing extra within the entrance now, and I feel now we have a sniff on how it’s wanting prefer to don’t have any automobile in entrance of you, with the McLarens and with Max [Verstappen] there.
“So, yeah, in any case, we’ll by no means discover out. I am again.”
Picture by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB19, the sphere as Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, results in the gravel on the opening lap after contact with George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14
The incidents between Hamilton and Russell haven’t been brushed below the carpet although, and Wolff stated the staff had addressed any potential fallout behind closed doorways.
“There have been some, as an instance, disagreeable conditions that now we have talked about, and plenty of factors that we left on the desk – however there’s no person extra conscious than the drivers,” he stated.
“Typically you want these moments to recalibrate and recondition and keep away from comparable conditions sooner or later.
“However they’re racing drivers; they compete arduous. Your first competitor is your team-mate, and subsequently, I see it with a relative relaxed stance. And I am again.”
Whereas Wolff saved a detailed eye on proceedings from his residence in Monaco, he stated he needed to intentionally again away from getting too concerned as a result of that will have been unfair on these working on the monitor.
“I used to be utterly plugged in,” he stated. “I’ve a centre console arrange at residence, so I used to be a part of each briefing, debriefing, and the conversations through the race.
“However clearly you have to let the fellows right here fly the airplane. While you’re distant, I at all times take myself again a bit bit since you’re distant.
“You do not look into the faces. You do not see what is going on on emotionally with the folks round you and you’re feeling in a sure manner indifferent. So, it isn’t one thing that I take pleasure in. But it surely was a necessity.”