Mercedes is still aiming for 2nd place: “40 points to fill, a gigantic task”

Two races and 40 points behind: this is the gargantuan task that awaits Mercedes at the end of the season. The German team remains committed to its objective, set after the summer break: to steal 2nd place in the constructors' championship at Ferrari. However, the significant gap between the two teams diminishes the hopes of the Silver Arrows, while the next two meetings, in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, should not be as favorable to them as in Mexico.

“We are here to finish in second place in the championship, said James Vowles, director of strategy at Mercedes, in the last video of the race report after the Mexico Grand Prix. Each race where we can start to close that points gap is a success. In Mexico, we only gained 13 points from Ferrari, so there are still 40 to win with two races, one of which is fortunately a Sprint race. I think we have a package now that can really give them a run for their money, unlike at the start of the season. »

The German team's strategist admits that the mission seems almost impossible, but remains confident in his team... but also in Ferrari's ability to lose points on its own, as we have seen so often this season. “40 points to fill is a gigantic task. It will really be necessary for everything to be perfect, for everything to go well – and for Ferrari to perhaps give us opportunities to open the door so that we can take second place. What I can tell you is that we will not give up until the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi. »

“Ferrari won’t be as far away from us as they were in Mexico” believes Mercedes

Mercedes would like to continue the momentum started in Mexico, where it was able to claim victory against Max Verstappen. An error in strategy ultimately deprived Lewis Hamilton of a duel with the Dutchman at the end of the race. The environment and altitude of the Rodriguez brothers' circuit helped the Silver Arrows in terms of performance. James Volwes expects Ferrari to be much better in the last two Grands Prix. “Ferrari won't be as far away from us as they were in Mexico. They will be closer in Brazil and Abu Dhabi and it will be a very close fight between our two teams… Red Bull will always have the advantage [compared to] us. I don't think it's quite the three tenths by which they [Red Bull] outclassed us in Mexico, but it will be several tenths through the next two races. »

The German team has still not won a single victory this season and could experience a blank year for the first time since 2011. If victory is obviously another objective for Mercedes, the Brackley-based team will remain satisfied with its progress throughout the season, whatever happens at the end of the championship. “We are getting closer and closer to where we were at the start of the season. Sometimes we were struggling to get out of Q1 or Q3… Today we are a hair away from fighting for our first victory. We have made progress. »

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