Yes, the thrill of F1 is back, as the F1 world bore witness to an intense duel between arch-rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Hamilton secured a sensational pole position, breaking a long-standing dry spell and reigniting hopes for Mercedes. However, the joyous moment was short-lived as Toto Wolff shattered Hamilton’s optimism with a candid admission. Despite the pole position feat, Wolff made a realistic confession about the technical prowess of Red Bull’s RB19, putting them in a league of their own.

The Hungarian GP qualifying showcased a thrilling showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen, reminiscent of past clashes between the two legendary drivers. Hamilton’s remarkable pole position marked a significant moment in his career after 20 months, his 104th pole and 9th pole at Hungaroring. However, the success has not masked the underlying challenges with the Mercedes W14. Toto Wolff acknowledges the fundamental weakness in the car’s unpredictability, hindering drivers from pushing it to its full potential in qualifying. While Mercedes have made substantial changes to their car concept, the desired results have yet to materialize.

In the press conference following qualifying, Toto Wolff acknowledged the undeniable strength of the RB19 and the significant gap between Red Bull and Mercedes. While Hamilton’s determination to challenge Verstappen was evident, Wolff stressed, as quoted by Formula Passion, “Tomorrow Lewis will give everything he has to fight with Max – said Wolff – but we have to be realistic: they are in another category.“ [translated via Google] He emphasized the need to address the W14’s unpredictability, providing drivers with a more stable and predictable car balance. Despite a major upgrade package, the car’s performance remains inconsistent across different circuits, leaving the team searching for answers.

Read more: George Russell’s “Sh*t Show” Hailed as Blessing in Disguise for Lewis Hamilton by Ex Ferrari Boss

Toto Wolff’s candid remarks paint a realistic picture of the challenges they face against the dominant RBR. As Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence against Max Verstappen became a hot topic in the post-qualifying interviews, Nico Rosberg, known for his fiery character, didn’t hold back.

Lewis Hamilton’s pole receives a fiery response from Nico Rosberg

Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence and pole lap left Christian Horner trying to downplay the achievement. However, in a fiery post-qualifying interview with Nico Rosberg, Horner faced a quick and assertive response that highlighted Hamilton’s exceptional performance and shut down any attempts to undermine his success. The British Team Principal, Christian Horner, attempted to shift the focus by highlighting Verstappen’s small mistake at Turn 13, but Nico Rosberg quickly countered this narrative.

During the post-qualifying interview, Horner downplayed Hamilton’s achievement by emphasizing Verstappen’s front-row starting position despite a small mistake. However, Rosberg didn’t let Horner’s remarks go unchallenged. Instead, he pointed out that Hamilton, too, faced challenges during his pole lap, leaving a bit on the road in the last two turns. Rosberg’s response highlighted Hamilton’s brilliance and showcased his unbiased analysis of the qualifying session.

Hamilton is geared up to challenge Verstappen’s dominance, but the battle is far from predictable. Who do you think will get that chequered flag?

WATCH THIS STORY | Lewis Hamilton and George Russell slapped with a brutal reality check amid resurrection rumors