Mercedes: Ferrari running ‘risky’ strategy with Leclerc

Mercedes Formula 1 chief Toto Wolff believes Ferrari is running a “risky” strategy with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc by starting him on Soft tyres in the Austrian Grand Prix.

Leclerc charged to his second career pole on Saturday at the Red Bull Ring, while Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton took third and fourth place on the grid.

Bottas and Hamilton will start the race on the more durable Medium compound tyre after using it to advance through Q2, while Leclerc will use the Softs for the opening stint.

Speaking after qualifying on Saturday, Wolff said he felt Ferrari was running a risk by starting Leclerc on Softs, forcing it into an early stop on Sunday.

“In terms of the strategy, I think that Ferrari and Charles starting on the Soft is a risky strategy,” Wolff said.

“It is either two-stop if things go bad tomorrow, or you're being very compromised towards the end of your first stint.

“Whereas Red Bull and Mercedes on the Medium are in a better place in terms of the strategies that are available to us.

“So I'd rather be on the Medium than on the Soft.”

Wolff’s thoughts were echoed by Bottas, who will start directly behind Leclerc’s car on the starting grid.

“Everything is possible, and for my feeling, we’re definitely starting on the right tyre,” Bottas said.

“It could be a small disadvantage for the start and for the first one or two laps, but I think going on the Medium opens more opportunities for us than for Charles, for example, in terms of strategy.

“We can go a bit longer, if needed, but we can also stop a bit earlier if we want and put the Harder tyre. I’m sure it’s going to be interesting tomorrow.”