Photo: Mercedes-Benz
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and now, with no less than four races left to go, 2019. These are six consecutive years that in Formula 1 belonged to Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport.
Over the weekend, at the Japanese Grand Prix, the German team managed to climb and the top of standings once more – for the 12th time in 17 races – and effectively ended the season, from a constructors’ standpoint, several months in advance.
The Japanese GP was one of records for the entire team. At Suzuka, it was Valtteri Bottas who led the charge and won a Formula 1 race for the third time this season, but for the first time on this track. Separately, Lewis Hamilton managed to equal Michael Schumacher’s record for the most fastest laps in Japan at four.
But most importantly, with the constructors’ title already secured and with its two drivers the only ones left mathematically capable of winning the F1 season, Mercedes-AMG is about to become the first team in history to win both titles six times in a row.
“When we embarked on the journey six or seven years ago we wanted to win races more regularly and then fight for a Championship – and now, six years later, we win our sixth Championship in a row,” said in a statement Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG’s Team Principal.
“Today has been an emotional rollercoaster; we were disappointed in the morning because we weren’t quick enough in qualifying. And now we’ve won the race and also both Championships – which is still hard to fully grasp.”
The sad thing for F1 managers is that the competition is likely to go downhill from now on when it comes to appeal. There’s not much left to fight for, and it remains to be seen what type of show the drivers will put on for the audience.
The current Formula 1 season ends in December in Abu Dhabi. Until then, races will be held in Mexico, the U.S. and Brazil.
The Japanese GP was one of records for the entire team. At Suzuka, it was Valtteri Bottas who led the charge and won a Formula 1 race for the third time this season, but for the first time on this track. Separately, Lewis Hamilton managed to equal Michael Schumacher’s record for the most fastest laps in Japan at four.
But most importantly, with the constructors’ title already secured and with its two drivers the only ones left mathematically capable of winning the F1 season, Mercedes-AMG is about to become the first team in history to win both titles six times in a row.
“When we embarked on the journey six or seven years ago we wanted to win races more regularly and then fight for a Championship – and now, six years later, we win our sixth Championship in a row,” said in a statement Toto Wolff, Mercedes-AMG’s Team Principal.
“Today has been an emotional rollercoaster; we were disappointed in the morning because we weren’t quick enough in qualifying. And now we’ve won the race and also both Championships – which is still hard to fully grasp.”
The sad thing for F1 managers is that the competition is likely to go downhill from now on when it comes to appeal. There’s not much left to fight for, and it remains to be seen what type of show the drivers will put on for the audience.
The current Formula 1 season ends in December in Abu Dhabi. Until then, races will be held in Mexico, the U.S. and Brazil.
Google News