F1 | Mercedes, Wolff unleashed: "The points are scored on Sunday, not on Saturday"

Mercedes achieved an unexpected one-two on the eve, avenging in a certain respect what Ferrari did just seven days ago in Singapore. The pace of the two Reds imposed by Vettel was superior in the first stint, also thanks to the different strategies, but certainly the Virtual Safety Car caused by the German's unfortunate retirement greatly helped the Star team, which even achieved a one-two after the decision, not exactly impeccable at this point, of Leclerc, who stopped too late during the SC, also allowing himself to be overtaken by Bottas.

“It was one of those races in which you demonstrate that the points are scored on Sunday, not on Saturday, and that above all you can never give up – declared an excited Toto Wolff. We managed to do a double, it's a special feeling! The Medium tire was chosen to lengthen the first stint and take advantage of a possible Safety Car after the Ferrari pit, but also to have the possibility of using the Soft at the end. The race turned in our favor with Vettel's retirement and the entry of VSC. Both our drivers did a fantastic job today: Lewis was unstoppable, pressing the Ferraris at the start, while Valtteri already had one of the Reds breathing down his neck at this track two years ago. However, we didn't have the best package here, we have to underline this despite the victory: updates will arrive at Suzuka, but we have to get back to work to maximize everything in view of Japan, in order to come back stronger."