Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has stressed that this year’s Formula 1 title battle is “far from over” and that the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix acts as an “outlier”.
Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of a fifth World Championship, having extended his advantage in the United States, but Mercedes’ gap over Ferrari in the Constructors’ race was reduced.
Mercedes triumphed upon Mexico’s return in 2015 and doubled up in 2016, but last year was beaten to pole position by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen went on to win the race.
“The US Grand Prix confirmed what we said before the race: this year's championship fight is far from over,” said Wolff.
“We have a battle on our hands and we will have to keep pushing to win both titles.
“We cannot be happy with the result in Texas, but it provides us with an opportunity to learn and come back stronger.
“Our next stop brings us to Mexico City where we will face a very different challenge.
“The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is an outlier given its high altitude [2,200 metres above sea level] and the demands this puts on the cars and power units.
“It has been one of the weaker tracks for us in previous years and we expect a hard fight with Ferrari and Red Bull.
“The weather forecast predicts conditions similar to those we had in Austin which might throw everyone another curveball by limiting dry running.
“We know that it is not going to be an easy race, but everyone in the team is focused, motivated and determined to keep the pressure on until the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi.”
Mercedes can nonetheless clinch the Constructors’ Championship this weekend if it out-scores Ferrari by 20 points.
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