Team boss Toto Wolff of Formula 1 racing stable Mercedes is brimming with self-confidence in the run-up to the penultimate Grand Prix of the season, Sunday in Saudi Arabia on the brand new street circuit in Jeddah.
,,Our car has performed well recently and is now probably at its best,’ he referred to the car of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. “That gives us courage and a strong impulse to continue.”
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) has seen his lead in the world championship dwindle due to two consecutive victories from Hamilton. The Dutchman is now just 8 points ahead of the British veteran, with the races in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi still to go. Mercedes has a 5 point lead over Red Bull in the Constructors’ World Championship.
The circuit in Jeddah is more than 6 kilometers long with 27 turns, but an expected average speed of 252 kilometers per hour. Only the Monza circuit is faster.
“Our drivers here are prepared to go to the extreme,” Wolff said of Hamilton and the Finn Valtteri Bottas. “We are all delighted that we are still in the fight at this stage of the season. That’s a privilege and a testament to our resilience when you consider where we were at the start of the summer. The two championships are still fully open and our mission is clear.”
Also read:
• Climax in F1: this is how the battle between Verstappen and Hamilton continues
If Verstappen wins the race in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and drives the fastest lap, good for 26 points, he is world champion if Hamilton does not get further than sixth place (8 points). When the Briton finishes outside the points, second place is enough for Verstappen to take the title. However, there is a good chance that the world title fight will not be decided until the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, on December 12.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.
#Mercedes #full #confidence #Lewis #Hamiltons #car