Here’s a enjoyable trivia query for you.
Over the previous two System 1 race weekends, what crew has secured probably the most factors?
Should you guessed Mercedes then congratulations, you’ve gotten been paying consideration.
The Silver Arrows loved a little bit of a breakthrough in Montreal, as George Russell’s third-place end marked the primary podium in a Grand Prix for Mercedes this season. They adopted that end result with arguably a good higher one this previous weekend in Barcelona, as Lewis Hamilton certified third for the Spanish Grand Prix and adopted that along with his first Grand Prix podium of the 12 months, a third-place end on Sunday. With Russell ending simply behind him in fourth, Mercedes banked 27 factors in Barcelona, every week after notching 28 factors in Montreal.
Are the Silver Arrows again?
Possibly not but, however they’re actually closing the hole to the groups on the entrance of the grid.
“It’s been a very nice weekend. It’s been some time since I’ve been on the rostrum so I’m very blissful! We’re not fairly there but however we’ve taken an enormous step in current races,” hailed Hamilton within the crew’s post-race report. “We didn’t fairly have the tempo to struggle with the 2 guys forward of us however, if we are able to ship extra constantly like this, then we can be in a robust place. We’re on our technique to catching these guys and that’s incredible.”
Russell might have pulled off the transfer of the race with this gorgeous double overtake of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen heading into the primary flip of the Grand Prix:
He mirrored on that transfer after the race, with a little bit of a historical past lesson.
I used to be dreaming of creating a transfer like I did into flip one final night time,” described Russell. “I didn’t suppose it will fairly come to fruition in the best way that it did! I bear in mind Fernando [Alonso] making an identical begin in 2013. We had a headwind so I knew I may brake fairly late. It was a really satisfying transfer and felt good to guide a race once more. Sadly, Max (Verstappen) was too quick for us at this time, as was Lando. However two podiums in two races could be very encouraging as we head to Austria.”
Russell’s overtake might need been the transfer of the race, however Hamilton’s battle — and go — of Carlos Sainz Jr. can also be price highlighting:
Like Russell, Hamilton took a second to recall that battle and overtake.
“I used to be happy with my transfer on Sainz too. I gave him sufficient room and we each made it by way of the nook,” recalled Hamilton. “It was an necessary transfer for my race, so I used to be glad to get it performed. It’s now on to Austria and we’re wanting ahead to it.”
Their boss additionally took a second to reward these strikes, in addition to the progress the crew has made these previous few weeks.
“We are able to take numerous positives away from at this time. We’ve got taken a number of steps ahead in the previous couple of races and it’s good to see these confirmed right here in Spain,” started Toto Wolff. “We aren’t fairly there but, and we have now to extra to do to catch these forward. However, we’re on a optimistic growth trajectory, and it feels good to be again within the recreation.
“It was additionally incredible to drag off two of the very best overtakes I’ve seen in a very long time. George made a mega begin and braked late to take the lead. Lewis’s overtake on Sainz in the meantime was nice racing and an necessary second for his race,” continued the Silver Arrows boss. “It’s been some time since we’ve been capable of get pleasure from a Grand Prix podium with Lewis, so it was incredible to see him up there. We’re now wanting ahead to the subsequent two races within the triple-header and constructing on the momentum we’re establishing.”
Mercedes will now try to proceed that momentum on quick order, because the grid heads to Crimson Bull Ring for this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. It should get began rapidly, as this is among the F1 Dash Race weekends on the calendar.
