P1racenews AI automatic summary:
It may be for the minor places but you suspect George Russell would love nothing more than to overhaul Max Verstappen.
Mercedes is targeting to catch up with Max Verstappen as George Russell aims to surpass him in the standings after the summer break.
Verstappen’s championship hopes have dwindled due to poor performances and a significant points deficit to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Helmut Marko believes it’s now “impossible” for Verstappen to clinch a fifth title as Russell closes in on him.
Mercedes is focused on helping Russell and junior driver Kimi Antonelli perform well to secure a strong finish in the constructors’ championship.
The team is determined to optimize their performance in the remaining races to challenge Ferrari for second place and capitalize on circuits where their car excels, aiming to add more victories to their tally.
