As the penultimate round of the 2024 Formula 1 season approaches, a year marked by four teams taking victories and seven drivers achieving at least two wins each nears its conclusion. While the Constructors’ Championship remains up for grabs between Ferrari and McLaren, Mercedes is no longer in contention for the title. Nevertheless, the team aims to replicate its success in Las Vegas, though Wolff is cautious about raising hopes for Qatar.
The season’s climax will soon reveal the best car and driver pairing of 2024, a battle marked by the highs and lows of both leading teams. Mercedes, which played a role in aiding McLaren at Las Vegas by limiting Ferrari’s points recovery, could emerge as a disruptive third force in the fight.
Following the “wintery” conditions of Las Vegas, the championship shifts to the heat of the Middle East. Unlike 2023, when the extreme conditions in Qatar took a toll on the drivers, this year’s weather is expected to be less grueling. However, the warmer climate may not favor Mercedes, as the W15 has consistently performed better in cooler conditions.
“We’re looking forward to the penultimate race of the season in Qatar,” Toto Wolff commented. “The team did an excellent job over the three days in the United States. We were quick throughout and executed well on Saturday night.”
“The races in Las Vegas and Qatar couldn’t be more different. The Lusail International Circuit features many high-speed sections and few, if any, significant braking zones. Although this race is later in the calendar than last year, it will still be very hot. This contrasts with the cooler conditions and numerous low-speed corners of Las Vegas. That said, we are aiming for another strong performance this weekend.”
“The W15 has felt more at home on circuits with high-speed corners, like Silverstone or Spa. We certainly benefited from the cool night temperatures in Las Vegas, but the layout of the Qatar circuit should play more to our car’s strengths. We know our rivals will be stronger than they were last weekend, but our goal is to get the car into a good operating window again and fight at the front.”
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