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Mercedes has made drastic progress this year and leads the battle for second in the F1 Grand Prix Constructors’ Championship over Ferrari.
Ahead of today’s US Grand Prix, the German manufacturer holds a 28-point lead over their nearest challengers.
The race starts at 9pm.
READ: Max Verstappen and Red Bull are nearly there for another F1 title
Team principal Toto Wolff is pleased with the progress of their W14 car despite failing to take full advantage of the team’s potential.
“The progress has been solid.
“The W14 is more consistent – though it is never easy for Lewis [Hamilton] and George [Russell] to drive.
“We have swung from sometimes fighting for podiums and even the win in Singapore to other weekends having to limit the damage with a handful of points.
In the last race in Qatar, Dutch racer Max Verstappen added the Drivers’ Championships to the Constructors’ Championship he virtually won nearly single-handedly for Red Bull.
The now three-time champion has been in a class of his own this year, winning a record-breaking 14 wins this season and dominating his teammate Sergio Pérez.
Verstappen eagerly anticipates racing at Circuit of the Americas as he chases his third consecutive win in the Lone Star State.
“I’m really looking forward to the race in Austin this weekend.
“As a team, we have a lot of special memories from there.
“The atmosphere at the track is also like no other; there are so many Red Bull Racing fans there to cheer us on.
“It is another sprint race, so it could be quite hectic for us.
“The temperatures look to be high too, so I’m expecting another tough race.
“I’m also excited to see the new special fan-designed livery on the car; it’s going to be cool.”
As one side of the Red Bull garage rides the crest of a wave, Pérez has been floundering since he won two of the first four races this year.
The Mexican got knocked out in Q2 during qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix and has Hamilton bearing down on him in the battle for second in the standings.
Despite a disappointing run of form for the 33-year-old, he hopes to deliver in Texas and in front of his home crowd in Mexico next weekend.
“I know I have to get back to my best at Circuit of the Americas. It’s a fun circuit to drive and I am confident we can perform there.”
Today’s Grand Prix will represent a second home race of the year for Williams driver Logan Sargeant.
The 22-year-old has been under pressure in his rookie season but said the transition to Formula 1 from junior categories is much trickier.
“It is just about building off the mistakes, and it might sound silly, but using them to your advantage to try and learn from them. Ideally, you’d have more testing, as that is the best way to prepare.
Lando Norris and McLaren have catapulted up the order this year and have scored two consecutive double podiums through the British driver and teammate Oscar Piastri in Japan last month and Qatar three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo will return to action this weekend for AlphaTauri after recovering from a hand injury.
READ: Red Bull eyes redemption at the Japan Grand Prix
The Australian will replace New Zealander Liam Lawson, who scored points finish with ninth place at the Singapore Grand Prix last month.
