Hakkinen: "I expect Mercedes to be at full strength again"

After an off week for the Mercedes team at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Mika Hakkinen fully expects the Silver Arrows to bounce back at the season-ending in Abu Dhabi.

Valtteri Bottas retired from the race at Interlagos with an engine problem whilst Lewis Hamilton finished down in seventh after receiving a penalty for his penultimate lap collision with Alex Albon. It meant the World Champion finished down in seventh despite being on course for a podium place.

Mercedes have wrapped up yet another driver and constructor double, their sixth in a row. With the season finale in Abu Dhabi just around the corner Mercedes will be wanting to bounce back and Hakkinen expects Mercedes to do exactly that.

“We are now going to the final race in Abu Dhabi, back to sea level," Hakkinen said in his column for Unibet.

"I expect Mercedes to be at full strength again. Fully competitive against Ferrari and Red Bull. 

"Everyone will go for it this last race. Without championships that are fast and only want the professional satisfaction of the best. It should be fantastic."