USA Today via Reuters
Oct 24, 2021; Austin, TX, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Team Great Britain leads Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen (33) of Team Netherlands at the start of the United States Grand Prix Race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 24, 2021; Austin, TX, USA; Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport driver Lewis Hamilton (44) of Team Great Britain leads Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen (33) of Team Netherlands at the start of the United States Grand Prix Race at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mercedes came out as second best at the end of an intense US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. They finished in P2 and P6 from Hamilton and Bottas, respectively. But Danica Patrick believes there is no reason to ring the alarm bells for the team.
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COTA has usually been a Mercedes and Hamilton stronghold since the beginning of the Turbo-Hybrid era. Their rivals, Red Bulls, beat them in both qualifying and the race. But Patrick believes the team has loads of experience and will not panic.
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Danica Patrick backs Mercedes in the championship battle against Red Bull
As reported by Sky Sports, the former IndyCar driver stated Mercedes knows how to bounce back. Despite the result, she stated that the German team showed a great attitude in the race.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the race REUTERS/Mike Blake
“True champions know how to come back. I feel like Mercedes still had a great attitude today – both Toto [Wolff, team boss] and Lewis seemed really cool and calm and I think that’s going to pay off.”
“They’ve been around, they’ve accomplished a tonne and this one race isn’t going to phase them with five to go,” said Patrick.
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That’s a lot of season left and a lot can happen: Patrick
Danica Patrick continued by mentioning that during the race both Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton looked calm despite being behind their rivals. She stated a lot can happen in the remaining 5 races and the championship could swing towards the German team.
Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 24, 2021, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the race with second place Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton REUTERS/Brian Snyder TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
“I thought Toto seemed calm, Lewis seemed calm and at the end of the day, there’s basically a quarter of a season left. That’s a lot of season left and a lot can happen. You have to look at the positives, and that’s that five races left. DNFs are possible and being exceptional just as they have done in history is totally possible.” said the American.
Hamilton is 12 points behind Verstappen in the driver’s championship and Mercedes is now just 33 ahead of Red Bull in the constructor’s championship. Can Hamilton bounce back?
