TOKYO, Japan: Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas predicted a “decent step” from the latest improvement package set to be bolted onto the W10 in Suzuka this weekend.
While the specifics of the upgrades will become clearer when the cars hit the track for Friday’s free practice sessions, Bottas is optimistic about the performance gains he expects from the new parts.
“We have a pretty solid update package this weekend,” Bottas told f1.com on Thursday.
“Obviously getting to try that tomorrow, how it works, but in theory, yes it should give us more performance. How much actually, that’s something we’ll find out. We’ve some rough numbers but should be a decent step in terms of if we’re talking about upgrade packages so far,” he added.
Mercedes arrive in Suzuka having won the last five Japanese Grands Prix in a row – but having simultaneously seen the momentum shift towards Ferrari in recent races, the Scuderia having beaten the Silver Arrows three times in the past four rounds.
But while Bottas conceded that qualifying in Suzuka could well favour Ferrari – with the Italian squad’s Charles Leclerc having taken the past four pole positions – he was anticipating another close battle between the two teams in the race, helped along by Mercedes’ upgrades.
“It’s a track with a mixture of different things,” he said. “Some decent straights where we definitely have a disadvantage compared to Ferrari. So they’re going to be gaining time on us there.”
If Mercedes outscore Ferrari by 14 points this weekend, the former will earn their sixth consecutive constructors’ title, to match the record currently held by Ferrari.
