Mercedes will rely on split strategies to put Max Verstappen under pressure and try to undermine the Red Bull driver’s quest for a home win on Sunday at Zandvoort.
Verstappen clinched his tenth career pole position in F1 on Saturday, and the Dutchman, well supported by his loyal orange army, is determined to follow up his performance with a resounding home win.
Mercedes may not have the advantage of pace over its Red Bull rival, but the Brackley squad is looking at strategy and tactics to gain an edge in the 72-lap race, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas starting P2 and P3.
“I think we need to be satisfied with where we ended up,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff after qualifying.
“Lewis missed out a lot yesterday with running [after an FP2 power unit issue] and at the end he put one lap together and we have P2, P3, that’s a good starting point.
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“I think if we are able to have the same pace in the race, and it’s going to be about survival on the one-stop, Max needs to make a decision: is he going for a one-stop or is he going for a two-stop?
“And I think we can play both strategies tomorrow, so you have two cars that can actually go totally different.
“Certainly, we’ll be pitting one, undercutting and massive pressure, leaving the other out and then finishing one and two,” he added with a smile.
©Formula1