Mercedes admit 'relief' over P2 championship result

Mercedes has revealed a sense of “relief” over finishing second in the Formula 1 Constructors' Championship.

For the second consecutive year the Brackley-based squad was unable to compete for race wins as Red Bull ran away with both titles.

Mercedes scored a handful of podiums across the campaign but its consistent form kept it in the hunt for the runner-up spot.

Fine margins separated it and Ferrari ahead of the final round of the campaign, but Mercedes hung on to take second, one position higher than its finishing spot last year.

Although it will have less wind tunnel testing time compared to Ferrari next season due to finishing higher, Mercedes will get a higher prize money payout as well as pride after besting its rival.

“Ultimately the aim of all of us here is to win championships and we weren’t able todeliver that this year,” said Rosie Wait, Head of Race Strategy.

“However, given the performance we had and the challenges we faced P2 is a really good result and so the mood this week is really one of happiness and relief of having delivered that P2.

“Now we can move on to putting all of our energies into going one better next year.”

No rest time at Mercedes

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has proclaimed that the squad will completely change its car concept for next year as it looks to reel in Red Bull.

Although the on-track action has ceased for the next couple of months, Mercedes' factory operations will be as busy as ever.

“There is no such thing as a winter break,” Wait asserted. “In fact, away from the race team the winter period is actually often the busiest time.

“Many people in the factory have been focussing on next year's car for months and now that the racing is over the focus can switch entirely to that.

“It's all hands on deck to get the car ready ahead of pre-season testing and the first race next year.”