Mercedes’ Toto Wolff says they will present equal opportunity to both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas in Mexico GP as the former has first chance to seal 2019 F1 title.
Mercedes may have won the F1 constructor’s championship in Japanese GP, but the drivers’ title fight rages onto the Mexico GP, as both of their drivers remain in contention with all other eliminated at Suzuka. Bottas is trailing Hamilton by 64 points.
If Hamilton wins Mexico GP then Bottas must finish fourth or higher to continue the F1 title fight onto US GP and if the British driver achieves the fastest lap on top of a win, it’ll be third or higher for Bottas. Despite the odds against him, the Finn isn’t giving up.
“I don’t really give up on anything as long as there’s a theoretical chance so there’s no point in that,” said Bottas. “Japan was a good example on the track where it’s difficult to overtake. You start third, OK, two Ferraris ahead, it’s a difficult case to win but it’s possible.
“Everything’s possible although I’m realistic as well that I will need to be very lucky, that’s a fact, to win all the rest of the races but I don’t really think about that much at this point. It is my bad, mostly, that I’ve been behind this much in the points compared to Lewis.
“It’s my fault which I try to fix for the future but it is where we are now and just take it now race by race and see how it goes.” Before coming to Hamilton, Wolff remained slightly diplomatic and stated that both drivers will be given the liberty to battle for the title.
“I think we have to stay true to the values we have to find in the past,” said Wolff. “We have always played the most fair game, you can see how difficult it is sometimes like today. But we are certainly keen in seeing them racing.
“Valtteri is very much an outsider with the points. 64 points, [Bottas needs] two and a half wins out of four races. We’ll give them equal opportunity and then it’s up to them to race on track.” Hamilton, however, is taking it one step at a time.
He is not expecting to seal it in Mexico, as the circuit isn’t to the liking of their car, which could make it difficult for him to have enough bridge to only be the second driver in F1 history to win a sixth drivers’ championship after Michael Schumacher.
“I think for me it’s never been a case of always wanting to rush things,” said Hamilton. “Valtteri’s driven well all year long, he’s done a great job today and he will most likely do a very-very solid job these next races, so we still have a battle, the fight continues.
“I think Mexico is generally our worst race of the year because of the way our car is set up and it’s going to be a tough one for us. The last few have been pretty shocking, even though we’ve won the title there. I’m hoping for a better weekend.
“But I think it’s going to be very hard to beat the Ferraris with those long straights. We have no hope of getting by on those straights, that’s for sure but even if you look at the others, the McLarens are picking up some serious speeds on the straights.
“Even the Red Bulls, so I think it will be a tricky one. I don’t anticipate it [championship crowing] will be Mexico. I think we will be battling for a good few races.” The last two times, Hamilton has sealed it in Mexico, it remains to be seen if he gets third time lucky.
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The story was written by Duncan Leahy and edited by Darshan Chokhani
