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The Mercedes team anticipates a significant shift in the Formula 1 title battle once the campaign resumes after the summer break.
The Formula 1 season has reached its halfway point, with last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix marking the final race before the traditional summer hiatus. Mercedes currently leads both championships, enjoying a strong start to their quest for their first double triumph since 2020.
However, in recent rounds, the team has seen its rivals close the gap and is now under considerably more pressure compared to the early races. The Dutch Grand Prix, in just over three weeks, will signal the season's restart, and Mercedes expects the intensity to escalate.
“History shows us that the championship always changes after the summer break,” stated Mercedes Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta. “The pressure increases on the leading teams, but it also mounts on those trying to catch up. The atmosphere becomes more intense, and every result carries greater weight.”
Mercedes currently holds a 72-point lead over Ferrari in the Constructors' standings, while in the Drivers' Championship, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is 50 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Despite this comfortable advantage, Resta hinted that Mercedes cannot afford to rest on its laurels during the second half of the season, as the stakes rise with increasing pressure.
“That’s when you truly see the strength and resilience of an organization. This is the moment when teams show if they can handle the pressure and continue to perform well when the stakes get higher. I’m very interested to see how this phase of the season unfolds, because it’s often when championships are won or lost,” Resta explained.
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