Mercedes to make the move: 'Can't afford a zero-point weekend'

Lewis Hamilton is often told from different sides that he is very lucky. The current world champion has few engine problems, rarely crashes and when he does make a mistake he is sometimes helped by a safety car. But Max Verstappen can't complain after the race in Sochi either, as the late rain shower in Russia seemed to be a real stroke of luck for the Dutchman, who managed to turn a difficult race into a second place.

Ideal situation

Where the Dutchman was overtaken by Fernando Alonso's Alpine and under pressure from Charles Leclerc when it was dry, the rain and good pit stop strategy changed everything for Verstappen, who sees Hamilton only two points ahead in the championship.

Verstappen himself was obviously very pleased with the result, which he probably wouldn't have dared to take into account in his wildest dreams. The Red Bull Racing driver also doesn't expect any more engine changes this season: "With this we should make it to the end. We had long discussions about when would be the best time to take the new engine and the associated penalty because it was clear we couldn't avoid it. Sochi now proved to be ideal," said the Dutchman at Speedweek.com.

It's Mercedes' move

The ball is now in Mercedes' court, who may have to make an engine change to Hamilton, and will need a similar result to Verstappen. "We are looking from race to race. There is a chance that we still change the engine so that we have a weekend like Red Bull Racing. If that happens, then it means we need to score points that way too. A drop out is an absolute no-go for the championship. Neither we nor our opponents can afford a weekend with zero points in this exciting battle for the championship."