Anthony Davidson shares how Toto Wolff reacted during Saudi Arabia practice

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Sky Sports F1 commentator Anthony Davidson spotted how Toto Wolff reacted to Mercedes’ showing in first practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

George Russell finished fourth fastest in the opening session in Jeddah, with teammate Lewis Hamilton eighth.

And Davidson saw what Mercedes team principal Wolff made of things as he watched on from the garage.

Max Verstappen, who won the Bahrain Grand Prix in dominant fashion, made a strong start by topping the timings.

Verstappen was just under two tenths clear of nearest challenger Fernando Alonso, and almost three tenths ahead of Russell.

Hamilton, meanwhile, was another third of a second back, below the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz and McLaren driver Lando Norris.

Mercedes appeared to be the third-fastest team in Bahrain, with Russell qualifying on the second row and then finishing fifth behind the Red Bulls and the Ferraris.

Anthony Davidson spots happy Toto Wolff in Saudi Arabia

Speaking in commentary for Sky F1 (14:03), Davidson noticed a smile on the face of Wolff.

Russell set the early pace in the session on the hard compound tyres before Verstappen took top spot on the softs.

“There’s a bit of a smile on Toto Wolff’s face,” he said. “Whether he’s heard or a funny joke or something I don’t know, but look at that.”

No more distractions as Saudi Arabia practice underway

Wolff may be pleased that the on-track action has now begun, with the intervening week dominated by driver-market speculation.

Mercedes are on the hunt for a replacement for Hamilton, who will replace Sainz at Ferrari next year.

And it emerged that reigning world champion Verstappen is currently the ‘hottest candidate’ to make what would be a sensational move to the Silver Arrows.

Speaking in the paddock ahead of the race, Wolff was tight-lipped on the speculation but refused to rule out a swoop.

His full focus now will be on maximising his team’s performance at the second round of the championship.

Mercedes encountered some early teething problems as Hamilton reported rear-bouncing on the radio, and fixing that may be the priority ahead of second practice.