Mercedes Braces for Fierce Competition in Singapore GP, Eyes Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin highlighted the intense competition expected in the upcoming Singapore GP, singling out Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin as key rivals. His analysis is based on the promising performance shown by these teams in FP1 and FP2.

Key Takeaways:

• Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes trackside engineering director, anticipates a thrilling qualifying session, citing the narrow margins between the top teams. He pointed out the impressive speed of Ferrari, McLaren, and Aston Martin, while also noting Red Bull’s uncharacteristic struggles.
• Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari led the timesheets in both FP1 and FP2 sessions, signaling strong performance, with Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also showing promising times. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez had mixed results in these sessions.
• Shovlin emphasized the need for Mercedes to optimize their approach with the Soft tyre and recognized the challenges of managing rear tyre heat in Singapore. He expressed confidence in their long run performance and eagerness to improve for the qualifying round.

Mercedes is gearing up for an intense battle in the Singapore Grand Prix, as indicated by the team’s trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin. His insights, based on the data from the first two practice sessions (FP1 and FP2), reveal a highly competitive scenario.

The practice sessions saw a strong showing from Ferrari, with their drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz topping the timesheets. This performance sets them up as formidable competitors for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, representing Mercedes, also clocked impressive times, hinting at a closely contested race.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull, typically a dominant force in the field, posted varied results – third in FP1 but dropping to eighth in FP2. His teammate, Sergio Perez, consistently finished seventh in both sessions. This performance deviates from Red Bull’s usual dominance, adding an unpredictable element to the upcoming race.

During the team’s review, Shovlin stated, “We’ve had solid sessions today and both drivers have finished the day happy with the balance.” He acknowledged some challenges, particularly with extracting the maximum potential from the Soft tyre during a single lap. Shovlin also noted that while their long-run pace was strong, managing rear tyre heat in Singapore’s demanding conditions remains a crucial focus for the team.

As the teams prepare for the qualifying session, Mercedes is under no illusion about the challenge ahead. Shovlin concluded, “It’s clearly very close so we’ll be pushing to find every little bit of pace overnight. We’re looking forward to an exciting qualifying session tomorrow.” This statement encapsulates the intensity and competitiveness expected at the Singapore Grand Prix, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling race weekend.