0
Toto Wolff is not willing to admit that Mercedes are favourites to take victory at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. In the last two races at Singapore and Malaysia, the Silver Arrows has struggled for pace, causing the team to become worried about the slump.
While it was expected that the Singapore circuit wouldn't suit the Mercedes package, the lack of speed at Malaysia caught the team by surprise. Red Bull's Max Verstappen managed to go on and claim his second career victory. With Ferrari incurring problems during qualifying and the race, Mercedes managed to increase its lead in the standings despite having arguably the third quickest car.
"In sport, it's in the tough times that you really see the strength of a team. Our championships in the past three years have come because we have never taken success for granted and, even in the good times, we were able to put our finger in the wound and work on our weaknesses. After Malaysia, we have found ourselves doing the same: analysing our problems, beginning to understand their causes and working on solutions.
"Lewis has made the most of every opportunity in recent weeks; he has been in fantastic form, particularly since the summer break, and is driving with a perfect balance of aggression right now. It has been a more challenging picture for Valtteri and it is a priority for us to give him the car he needs to perform - and to help him extract everything from it. It is not an easy time right now but this is the time for his strength of character, work ethic and natural talent to shine through."
The sixteenth round of the 2017 championship takes place this weekend at Japan, a track that Mercedes has dominated in the hybrid era. Since 2014, the Silver Arrows has won every race at Suzuka, while also locking out the front row on each occasion.
However, Wolff has stated that former success doesn't guarantee future results: "The next challenge comes in the form of Suzuka, a circuit which will ask very different questions of our car than Sepang. In the last years, we have performed very strongly there.
"But recent weeks have reminded us that historic form counts for little with these 2017 cars and tyres. It is a circuit which rewards Grand Prix cars and drivers performing at their very best - and we expect a very close fight between ourselves, Ferrari and Red Bull. As a team, our targets for the final quarter of the season are very clear. It is entirely in our hands to make sure we achieve them."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
724,258 comments on Red Bull Racing
966 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
601,325 comments on Mercedes 56 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (0)
Login to reply