Toto Wolff has no doubt Mercedes can "strike back" in Brazil following the disappointment of the United States-Mexico double-header in which Ferrari and Red Bull significantly closed the gap in the vital fight for second in the constructors' championship.
After George Russell finished second in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and won the following race in Singapore, Mercedes opened a cushion over its F1 rivals going into the races in Austin and Mexico City.
But a haul of just 30 points from Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli in those two races, compared to the 58 for Ferrari and 56 from Red Bull, means just 10 points separate the trio going into the final four grands prix, starting this weekend in São Paulo.
Although McLaren has romped away with this year's constructors' title, there is still a considerable amount of money on the line for the three teams, with a difference of more than $20 million between finishing second and fourth.
Although Interlagos has not proven to be a happy hunting ground for Mercedes over the last two years, since a one-two for Russell and then team-mate Lewis Hamilton in 2022, Wolff spies an opportunity.
"Four races to go," said Wolff. "Just one point now separates ourselves and Ferrari, with Red Bull only nine further back. We have had a couple of tough weekends, but we are still in the fight for P2.
"Each one of these four events is going to be vital in the battle for second in the constructors' and, whilst our advantage over our rivals disappeared across Austin and Mexico, we can strike back in Brazil."
The race in São Paulo offers two bites of the cherry, with the fifth of this season's six sprints on Saturday, followed by the grand prix on Sunday.
With only one practice session and the prospect of inclement weather striking the track, as it did over the weekend last year, Wolff knows his team can afford no mistakes.
"The penultimate sprint weekend of the year means we have to be at our very best from the off," added Wolff.
"Interlagos is an old-school circuit with a bumpy surface, elevation changes, and a wide range of corners. Add in unpredictable weather, and there is little margin for error.
"No matter what the weekend throws at us, our aim is to hit the ground running, execute better than our competitors, and get back in front of our nearest rivals."
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look ahead to this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix. Brazil being make-or-break for Max Verstappen's title chances is a lead discussion, as is whether Oscar Piastri will finally end his recent poor form.
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