Mercedes have confirmed that Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will both run their latest-specification car at this weekend's United States Grand Prix. After a difficult debut for the team's long-awaited new aerodynamic package at the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier this month, only Antonelli ran the upgrades in Singapore, while Russell reverted to the pre-Sepang version so the team could compare the two on track.
Antonelli started the Sprint weekend in Singapore on the back foot compared to Russell, but his competitiveness improved as the event progressed and he finished third in the race. Team principal Toto Wolff suggested afterwards that the team were leaning towards running both cars with the new specification in Austin, and has now confirmed that plan in the team's event preview.
"Malaysia and Singapore were difficult weekends for us and we have worked hard to understand where we fell short," said Wolff. "Austin gives us an opportunity to respond. We will run our latest update package on both cars as we continue to develop the car."
Mercedes did not challenge for victory in either Malaysia or Singapore, where Max Verstappen took back-to-back wins for a resurgent Red Bull. Even so, the team remain firmly on course for a world championship double with six rounds left. Antonelli could clinch his maiden Drivers' Championship as early as this Sunday if he wins, Russell fails to finish in the top eight, and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is not in the top four. Mercedes hold a 134-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship, meaning the Silver Arrows could seal that title as early as next week's Mexico City Grand Prix.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing