Mecedes and Lewis Hamilton aim to continue their Formula 1 dominance when their rivals Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari try to fight their last chances of title in the Russian Grand Prix this Sunday at Sochi.
In the top position to clinch a fifth world crown before his rival, Hamilton has a forty-point lead in the drivers’ standings for the 16th round of the season, which regained his place in the fall after being moved in the spring last year.
Mercedes are unbeaten at Sochi, they have won every Russian Grand Prix so far. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted his team is not a favorite to win this weekend.
“I never see ourselves as favourites. We were beaten in qualifying last year and Valtteri had a really brilliant started, towed the Ferraris and went into the lead.” Wolff said.
“And how the season has been going this year, first of all, there’s no patterns any more, and I don’t want to put us in a favourite position, let’s see where we are tomorrow after qualifying.
“I don’t think I have a hand on the trophy. What is needed is to have both. The job, the aim and the approach are always exactly the same race after race. We are going to fight for the victory,” Wolff added.
Hamilton, who feels happier, healthier and stronger than ever, can approach his return at Sochi after without a podium last year. His victory in the nose and beard of Ferrari in Italy and his brilliant leading position in Singapore allow him to arrive with full confidence.
Ferrari and Mercedes will fight for the win in Russia. (Source:www.planetf1.com)
Meanwhile, Vettel and Ferrari, who remain on two lost races while they had all the cards in hand to win them, instead have more right to error, too frequent recently.
“It’s very simple. If we win all the races from now on, we’ll be on the safe side. Everything is possible, I continue to believe in our luck. The gap is there, it must be reduced.” Vettel said.
The German driver and his team could do anything in Singapore against Hamilton and Mercedes, but a big mistake in the choice of tyres in the race cost Vettel the second place.
At Monza, he was torpedoed by hitting the Briton in the first lap to find himself at the back of the pack and finish 4th. The Scuderia had plunged into a trap set by Mercedes, precipitating the pit stop Kimi Raikkonen, which cost him the victory.
