3
Valtteri Bottas believes the upgrades that Mercedes has brought to the Japanese Grand Prix weekend should provide the team with a "pretty decent step".
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff previously stated that Ferrari's recent upturn in form was both down to the Maranello team implementing successful upgrades and Mercedes not placing updated parts on its car.
After going three grands prix without a victory, Mercedes took the race win last time out in Sochi, helped by the timing of a safety car which allowed Lewis Hamilton to jump Charles Leclerc in the pits.
However, the Silver Arrows are yet to take a pole position since the return after the summer break, but will be hoping to end the streak in Suzuka with the upgrades it has brought to its sidepods.
"We have a pretty solid update package this weekend,” Bottas stated. “We’ll try it tomorrow and see how it works but in theory, it should give us more performance.
“How much actually, that’s something we’ll find out. We have some rough numbers but it should be a decent step in terms of upgrade packages so far. We shall see.”
With a super typhoon set to hit the Suzuka Circuit this weekend, F1 and the FIA are on high alert for any potential schedule changes.
Bottas says that Mercedes must not get distracted by the possibility of poor weather and instead remain focused on the job, regardless of what happens.
"We just need to be really dynamic and make sure we focus on the right things rather than looking at 100 different weather forecasts," the Finn said.
"We need to be thinking of what we do with the tyre allocation from the practice sessions, what tyres we carry over and be ready to qualify on Saturday if that's the case.
"If it's Sunday morning, then we'll be ready for that. We just need to keep focused on the job and try not to get distracted, although it might be tricky."
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
United Arab Emirates
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
134,258 comments on Sauber
2 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Valtteri Bottas
613,589 comments on Mercedes 57 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (3)
Login to replyabhidbgt
Posts: 283
Certainly was true.
anegoda1995
Posts: 11
Great article!
anegoda1995
Posts: 11
Thank you!