Mercedes Tempers Las Vegas Expectations as It Defends P2 in Constructors’ Standings

Overview

• George Russell says he would be surprised to match 2024’s dominance, noting the W16 was tuned for consistency over 24 races and may be weaker in extreme conditions like Las Vegas.
• Toto Wolff cautions that recent gains only reestablished a narrow advantage for second place and insists the team is not taking anything for granted over the final three rounds.
• Mercedes highlights the race’s time shift from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. as a potential negative, with expected temperature changes that could expose rear‑suspension rigidity concerns.
• Deputy technical director Simone Resta says results have flipped versus last year at several tracks, making direct form carryover to Las Vegas unreliable.
• The team prioritizes qualifying and clean execution to secure track position on the low‑grip, high‑speed street circuit as it seeks to protect P2.