Austrian GP: Toto Wolff hopes 2022 rule changes will improve Mercedes' fortunes in Spielberg

The Austrian Grand Prix takes place this weekend as the Formula 1 calendar enters one of its most hectic periods before the summer break.

We’re on a run of four race weekends in five weeks and, among them, is the Sprint weekend in Austria which means even more racing action than normal at Spielberg.

More points are on offer too, then, with the top eight scoring in the Sprint on Saturday before the top ten earn points as ever in the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Mercedes will be hoping that they can earn a decent haul, too, after showing good pace at Silverstone last time out, and Toto Wolff is looking to be optimistic as well, even though he admits the track has not always been the best for their cars over the last couple of years.

Speaking in the Silver Arrows’ preview piece for the weekend, he said he hopes the new regulations for 2022 mean Mercedes can tackle the Red Bull Ring positively and build on their performance last weekend:

“Austria up next! A quick turnaround is always welcome when you’re in a learning race and need track time. It was a spectacular weekend at Silverstone, with amazing support and a more competitive showing. That reflects all the hard work to bring upgrades to the car – and a circuit that played to the strengths of our current package. “Lewis drove a brilliant race with some epic battles. A better result would have been possible if things had played out differently. George certainly had the pace to make up ground from P8. It was a shame he couldn’t race, but we’re proud of the character he showed after the incident.

“I’m looking forward to being back in Austria: it’s my home race and a location full of good memories. It’s a very different track to Silverstone and one that hasn’t always suited us in