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Windsor: 'Another win for Mercedes definitely not out of the question'

Windsor: 'Another win for Mercedes definitely not out of the question'

19-11-2022 07:20 Last update: 08:56
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GPblog.com

After the first practice sessions on Friday of the GP weekend in Abu Dhabi, F1 expert Peter Windsor thinks that the proportions between the top three teams are back to normal. The gaps are just not large, so a second win for Mercedes is not out of the question.

George Russell won his first ever F1 Grand Prix in Brazil, marking Mercedes' first race of the season. Lewis Hamilton finished second that weekend, pointing to an exceptionally strong comeback by the team. Red Bull Racing appeared to come up short in Sao Paulo, shaking up the proportions of the top three teams. Judging by Abu Dhabi's first practice sessions, Windsor thinks those proportions are back to normal. Indeed, Max Verstappen was again the fastest man on track and Mercedes seemed to be right behind Ferrari in FP2.

Strong day for Verstappen restores proportions

As the gaps between the teams are not too big, Windsor expects an interesting fight this weekend. In a YouTube video says the Briton: "In Abu Dhabi, the team [Mercedes] is very close to Ferrari and not far away from Red Bull. A second Mercedes victory is absolutely not out of the question. They are very fast through sector one and sector three. Sector two is the problem. That's where the long back straight is."

Windsor compares the long runs of the three teams(which Red Bull itself was particularly pleased with) and concludes, "The news after Friday is that Red Bull is back. They don't have the same problems as in Brazil. There is a big advantage for Max Verstappen. At the moment, Mercedes continues to step forward towards Ferrari with good runs from both George and Lewis.".