Two weeks after the surprise Ferrari win in Malaysia, Mercedes Technical Director Paddy Lowe insists the outcome was not a Mercedes victory squandered by poor strategy.
“Ferrari were quicker on the day, particularly in the ability to make the tire go the distance”, he stated. “They did a two-stop, which we could not have done.”
Lowe intimated Mercedes’ pace was quicker, but that Ferrari’s better tire endurance was something which Mercedes could do nothing about.
Though all eyes have been on Ferrari in the several weeks since the race, Mercedes has shown they have not been idle in preparation for Shanghai, as shown by their times during FP1 and FP2 – though Ferrari is close behind. Mercedes seems to be up to the challenge, however, and even welcomes it.
“We expected over winter there would be a definite closing of the gap” said Lowe. “…it’s good competition – we enjoy the competition – everyone pushes harder … and it’s good for Formula One.”
Image Courtesy of Mercedes F1 Team
