Mercedes to 'go for broke' at season finale

  • Published on 21 Nov 2018 11:19
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has vowed that the Silver Arrows will "go for broke" this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Last time out in Brazil, the German manufacturer sealed its fifth consecutive constructor's championship, two weeks on from Hamilton's driver title success.

Mercedes' celebrations came after Hamilton took the victory at Interlagos, despite having a pace disadvantage to Max Verstappen, whose race was hampered by Esteban Ocon. Hamilton's teammate Valtteri Bottas came home in fifth, which was enough to confirm the championship.

Mercedes is undefeated at the Yas Marina Circuit in the turbo hybrid era, and although the championship pressure is now off, Wolff says that the team will still be as hungry as ever to bring home the maximum points.

“The celebrations in Brixworth and Brackley last week were a very humbling experience," he said. "Claiming the fifth consecutive double Championship – an experience that only very few people in the sport have had before – felt amazing and we all cherished that moment.

“At the same time, everyone is extremely keen to continue to raise the bar together and be even stronger in 2019. For now, we have one race to go in 2018 and we want to put on a great show for the fans who supported us through the season, be it at the track, in front of their TV or on social media. The championship pressure is off, so we can look at this as one race where we can really go for broke.”

However, Wolff is not expecting it to be an easy weekend for the world champions: “We know, too, that it will be a tough battle because both Red Bull and Ferrari will have the same target of taking good momentum into the winter," added the Austrian. 

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    So they weren’t really trying for the last 20 races? I’d sort of guessed that, couldn’t let it look too easy.

    • + 0
    • Nov 21 2018 - 18:52
  • sadosalo

    Posts: 198

    are you kidding they go racing? this time no following each other in procession to the finish, LOL. The Mercedes domination kills F1 for the spectators, 10 times from pole, Bottas blocking the rest of the field for Lewis and here we go again, WC finished 3 races before the end nicely done and safe. Oh the Ferrari's are faster yeah, please.

    • + 0
    • Nov 22 2018 - 02:04

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Netherlands
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), Netherlands
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar