Only four points separate the giants from Abu Dhabi: will Ferrari take revenge on Mercedes in the final?

class=”sc-29f61514-0 fwWrRV”>

The new point of contention is clear. After Carlos Sainz fell victim to a manhole cover during the first training in Las Vegas, his Ferrari was totaled and a third battery had to be used, he was given ten penalty places by the FIA.

Even the commissioners thought this was too strict, “but we found no loophole in the regulations.” Then apparently they tried a different approach and asked the teams about it. If there was unanimity, Sainz could have started from the front row and not from position 12! But one team voted against it: Mercedes of course.

25 million more or less

The right of veto is the right of all teams. But when millions are at stake, the friendship ends even in Formula 1. In Abu Dhabi it is not just about 25 million dollars more or less in the coffers. In addition to prestige, it is also about revenge.

Mercedes leads with 392 to 388 points. And both teams are optimistic about the final 308 kilometers in 2023, but also continue to complain about their bad luck or lack of luck in Las Vegas.

Wolff: “Bad wages”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff: “Another Grand Prix in which we had good pace and did not get the result that the car’s performance deserved.” Wolff continues: “Unfortunately, both drivers had contact with the opponent, which cost Russell a five-second time penalty in the duel with Verstappen. The stage was gone. But it might have been enough for Leclerc and Pérez.”

And with Hamilton? Wolff: “He was touched by Sainz at the start and then suffered a puncture in the duel with Piastri. That cost us a few points.”

Vasseur: “This time we were there”

“We take a number of positive things from the past Grand Prix,” says Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur. «We were able to collect a large number of points in this exciting race with hot duels. I think Leclerc overtook a Red Bull three times in perhaps his best race and deserved to win. Sainz had a difficult weekend with the controversial penalty of ten penalty spots and the spin at the start. In Singapore we won with Carlos because Red Bull was off the track. This time we fought with Verstappen until the last corner.

Source : Blick