Mercedes ready to give instructions?

Team instructions Mercedes at the Russian GP have caused a lot of ink to flow since last Sunday. While Lewis Hamilton was 40 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) with 6 Grands Prix at the end of the season, the star-studded team preferred to optimize the Briton's chances of title by asking Valtteri Bottas to let him win.

“The true strength of a team is revealed when we see what individuals are willing to sacrifice for the group, comments the executive director of Mercedes Motorsport Toto wolff. Valtteri agreed to sacrifice his victory in Sochi to secure our double and increase our lead in both championships. He has already stated that he would be ready to do the same tomorrow. That says a lot about his qualities and his integrity. Valtteri proved in Sochi that he is a Grand Prix winner and a team player, which is what we need at the end of the season. »

After the somewhat haphazard explanations just after the race, Toto Wolff regained his confidence, being convinced that this choice was the right one. The executive director of Mercedes Motorsport even announces that the team still reserves the choice to resort to instructions if a similar situation arises.

“It was not an easy decision even if it was the one that had to be taken from an accounting level. I think each of us was tortured between the head and the heart last Sunday. But whatever the scenario, the old saying goes that no strategy survives first contact with the enemy. Each choice is made according to a particular context and we could still experience difficult times before the year is over. But we will face them all united.”, added the Austrian.

Mercedes still seems to fear a return from Scuderia Ferrari even if Sebastian Vettel is now 50 points behind Lewis Hamilton before the Japanese GP played this weekend at Suzuka.

“We know that nothing is decided yet and that our fight with Ferrari is far from over. The fight remains very close, as we saw last Sunday with Sebastian's pace and the pressure he exerted.", explained Toto Wolff.

“Suzuka is a track which has similarities with Silverstone (Great Britain) where we have not been as successful as in recent years this season”he concluded.

Sebastian Vettel had indeed won the last British GP ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but the Briton remains the last winner on Japanese soil.