Lewis Hamilton urges Mercedes unity to outpace Ferrari in Constructors' battle
- Rob Fleming
- 3 November 2023
Lewis Hamilton is rallying his Mercedes team to secure the coveted second place in the F1 Constructors' Championship ahead of Ferrari.
With just three Formula 1 races left this season, Mercedes currently maintains a slender 22-point lead over their Italian rivals. Last season witnessed a role reversal, with Ferrari finishing ahead of Mercedes, as both teams grappled to consistently challenge the frontrunners, Red Bull, following the implementation of ground effect technical regulations.
Hamilton, ever the optimist, is banking on his Mercedes squad's collective effort to clinch this crucial position on the championship table. He emphasized the excitement of the ongoing competition, acknowledging Ferrari's strong showing in the recent Mexican Grand Prix, where they excelled in qualifying. Fortunately for Mercedes, they managed to outpace their rivals during the race.
Hamilton shared his perspective on this nail-biting competition, saying, "It's a really fun, enjoyable battle we're having." He went on to reflect on their recent encounter, stating, "These guys did a great job in qualifying at the last race [in Mexico], but fortunately, we were able to leapfrog them [in the race]." However, he remains acutely aware that the season's outcome hangs in the balance, and to secure victory, it will require a collective effort from everyone in the Mercedes camp.
As the Formula 1 world descends upon Sao Paulo for the upcoming Grand Prix, Hamilton refrained from making bold predictions about Mercedes' chances. He remembered their victory at the same venue last year, courtesy of George Russell, marking their only triumph in the ground effects era. Hamilton acknowledged the competitiveness of their rivals, stating, "I expect the Red Bull to be very fast, it always seems to work pretty much everywhere except for Singapore. We expect the Ferraris to be quick. I hope that our car works well here like it did in Austin."
He remained cautiously optimistic about the unpredictable nature of the sport, saying, "But you could just never predict, it could be bad, it could be good. So we're just trying to prepare the best way we can."
With the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on the horizon, Formula 1 fans can look forward to an electrifying Sprint Race weekend. The Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace will host the event, featuring 71 laps on its 4.309-kilometre circuit. As the Mercedes-Ferrari rivalry intensifies, the racing world eagerly anticipates the twists and turns that the upcoming races will bring.
