P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why Mercedes’ Japan F1 podium claims seem far-fetched
At the Suzuka race weekend, Mercedes faced another disappointment with George Russell finishing seventh and Lewis Hamilton ninth, with their qualifying positions being reversed during the race behind Fernando Alonso. Team boss Wolff mentioned that Mercedes’ difficult qualifying was worsened by a tough first stint where they had to switch from a one-stop to a two-stop strategy unlike their competitor Ferrari. Despite a competitive second and third stint, Mercedes couldn’t challenge for a podium due to the initial struggle. The suggestion of a potential podium challenge raises doubts, as the gap between Mercedes and the top three teams was evident during the race. Analyzing the race data, Mercedes showed competitiveness during certain stints compared to Ferrari and McLaren, hinting at the team’s pace but ultimately confirming their fourth position in the championship pecking order behind Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.
