Formula 1

Mercedes cements valuable second in constructors despite Verstappen win

Motorsport Technology
1 month ago
3 min read

The Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team secured a lucrative second place in the constructors’ standings thanks to George Russell’s fifth place finish in the Abu Dhabi GP.

With McLaren having wrapped up the title in Singapore with six races still remaining, the fight for the coveted second position was still up for grabs until the final race of the season.

And with Ferrari trailing off alarmingly, it was still mathematically possible that Red Bull Racing could steal an unlikely second spot.

But despite Max Verstappen holding his end of the bargain, Russell’s consistency allied to Yuki Tsunoda’s woeful form means that Mercedes cemented second in the standings.

“Congratulations firstly to Lando Norris on winning the World Championship,” commented team boss Toto Wolff on the official website. “He is a worthy winner.

“I am really happy for him and everyone that is close to him. His parents will be quite rightly proud of his achievement, and I am sure they will enjoy it.

“It is not the way we wanted to end the year, but we can be pleased we secured P2 in the Constructors’. Since the midpoint of the season, that has been our aim.

“It is not what we as Mercedes ultimately want to be fighting for though and hopefully, we can prove ourselves worthy of being in a world title fight next year.”

For George Russell, fourth place in the drivers’ championship behind those gunning for the title in Abu Dhabi would have been bitter-sweet.

Yet seeing his great friend and childhood rival Lando Norris secure a first F1 title will surely add fuel to the belly to do likewise.

“Whilst the season didn’t end in the way we wanted, we can be pleased that we secured P2 in the Constructors’. It has been a challenging four years in this ground effect era for us as a team and getting P2 was definitely our aim from after the summer break.

“We’ve ticked that box but ultimately, we want more than this and that is what we are fully focused on delivering in 2026 with the seismic rules change.

“Finally, I want to wish congratulations to Lando (Norris) as he becomes World Champion. We’ve raced together for so long and he is more than deserving of the title. Hopefully we can do battle on track next year for the 2026 crown!”

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