Speaking of damage limitation, four races from the end of the world championship and with a clear Red Bull competitiveness that shows no sign of losing form, is strange. It’s strange for one Mercedes that yes, in Mexico City, it ranks second but in a broader view of the championship means counting 19 points behind in the Drivers’ World Championship.
All on the eve of another appointment, the Brazilian GP (here the weekend times), which in line of pure forecast is expected to be favorable to Verstappen. On the table are the points of the sprint qualification, extra opportunities from whatever perspective you consider it: from the championship leader as from the pursuer.
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Another sprint qualification, again in a weekend where the points gap is dangerously wide. It already happened in Silverstone, it was a decisive step to rebalance the game.
Parry and counterattack
In Mercedes they are confident in a triptych of races, between Losail, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi (here is how Yas Marina has redone the look), which is favorable, albeit with all the unknowns of two unpublished circuits. Potentially 24 points on the table, the recovery possible by winning the last three races and with a Verstappen that is always placed. Net of unpredictable scenarios, retirements, reliability problems, Interlagos cannot limit itself to being another GP to contain the opponent, for Mercedes.
“Thinking about the last race in Mexico, it was absolutely a damage limitation weekend. We knew it was going to be a challenging event for us and it did, due to the characteristics of the circuit.
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The best thing about a three week racing series is that you don’t have to wait long for a new opportunity and regain a favorable boost. We are thrilled to be returning to Brazil, Interlagos is such an iconic circuit. Although it has not been our most favorable track in recent seasons, it tends to adapt more to Red Bull. But this year anything can happen. It will also be the last weekend with the sprint race and this opens up more opportunities“, analyzes Toto Wolff.
A comparison to bring to Abu Dhabi
It would seem that the fears related to the reliability of Hamilton’s power unit decrease the chances that it will have to resort to a further change of components, as Red Bull believes will be necessary. On the subject, Interlagos has similar altitude challenges to Mexico City, much less in altitude, however, at the 800 meters of the marsh area on the outskirts of Sao Paulo compared to the 2,200 meters of the Mexican capital. Then there is a long stretch with the engine running, out of a total of 75% of the lap.
“We will give everything we have in the Brazilian GP and in the following races. We are privileged to be still fighting so late in the season. Expect the last title assignment. We have some ground to recover and we know it will be an intense battle, but we will continue to push hard and keep our eyes fixed on the final goal. “
