Hamilton and Russell assess Sao Paulo GP victory probabilities after Mercedes’ sturdy showings in US and Mexico

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have supplied their ideas on the place Mercedes would possibly sit within the pecking order on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, after improved performances throughout the current United States and Mexico rounds.

With new elements fitted to the W13, Hamilton completed second to Red Bull rival Max Verstappen in Austin and Mexico City, with the Silver Arrows additionally within the body for pole place on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

READ MORE: Mercedes admit overhauling Ferrari for P2 within the constructors’ will likely be ‘a tremendous ask’

Asked about this obvious step ahead, and the way Mercedes are prone to fare at Interlagos, seven-time world champion Hamilton stated: “Well, I don’t assume this circuit and the following one [Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi] goes to go well with our automobile prefer it did within the final race.

“I’m hoping I’m wrong, I’m hoping the engineers are wrong and I’m hoping the car is a lot better than we expect. I’m going in with that positivity, rather than it’s not going to be the easiest of weekends.”

Alongside their victory ambitions, Mercedes arrive in Brazil trying to put Ferrari underneath extra strain for P2 within the constructors’ standings, with the hole between the 2 groups right down to 40 factors after a difficult Mexico City GP for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Expecting Mercedes to be someplace “in between” their efficiency degree at Austin and Mexico City, Russell referenced the Scuderia, saying: “I believe the important thing [factor] is Ferrari. They are a bit extra of an unknown for the time being; their efficiency appears a bit inconsistent. Mexico was a very weird weekend, how far off the tempo they have been.

READ MORE: Verstappen sees ‘good chance’ to increase F1 victory document at Interlagos as Perez targets Red Bull 1-2 within the standings

“For sure, you can be confident that Red Bull will have a strong package and be the team to beat. For us, we’ll just try and do our best and be ready to adapt to whatever the weather throws at us and go from there.”

Pecking order predictions apart, Hamilton’s Sao Paulo GP week began with a particular ceremony at which he was formally made an honorary Brazilian citizen, and the Briton – who has already been knighted in his dwelling nation – shared additional ideas on the expertise.

“I’ve had to just pinch myself every day, like, ‘Is this real?’ It’s a very, very surreal experience to be welcomed into a country like I have, to be received like I have this week, and the love that I received,” he stated.

READ MORE: ‘It’s the best honour’ – Hamilton made an honorary citizen of Brazil forward of Sao Paulo GP

“It was a really completely different expertise to getting a knighthood within the UK, the place it’s in an extremely historic constructing with the royals, with a really small group of individuals, that get to go in there.

“This was congress with members of government and the place was full, it was a full audience, and they were all sending so much love and energy. It’s overwhelming to see how much love I receive here and I’m so grateful for it.”