P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes is locked in a battle with Red Bull and Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship.
George Russell is hopeful that the final “Mercedes warriors” working on the 2025 F1 car can triumph over the reinvigorated challenge from Red Bull and Max Verstappen in the constructors’ championship. Mercedes currently holds firm in second place in the constructors’ standings with 398 points, with Red Bull close behind on 366 and Ferrari also in contention with 362 points, following a strong weekend in Brazil.
Despite the impending massive regulation changes set for 2026, most F1 teams have shifted focus to the new generation of cars, but with three races left in ’25, significant prize money is at stake based on the final standings for this year’s championship.
Russell is optimistic that the Mercedes W16’s “final warriors” can carry the team across the finish line, while also sharing a “peculiar” prediction regarding the 2026 racing dynamics. He mentioned that although most of the team is working on developments for 2026, the race-track crew is specifically concentrating on this season’s car.
Russell emphasized that while his simulator work revolves around the 2026 car, the team is mainly geared towards next year’s vehicle. He anticipates a rise in overtakes for the upcoming season, particularly in unique and unprecedented locations on the track, foreseeing scenarios where battery levels could facilitate unexpected overtaking maneuvers in untraditional corners.
