As the clock struck noon on a sunny Wednesday, the Mercedes team gathered for their routine training session.

Toto Wolff, the team principal, stood tall among the technicians in the pit lane. Toto, dressed in his signature black suit pants and white team shirt, his sleeves rolled up.

With a pair of headphones resting on his head, he crossed his arms and fixed his gaze on the screen before him. On the track, Hamilton and Russell showcased their skills.