Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team Executive Director (Technical) Paddy Lowe, described the one-two victory for the team on Sunday as amazing, considering the really difficult conditions the drivers had to contend with.
Lowe also applauded the crowds who stuck it out in the nigh on continual pouring rain.
“Absolutely mind-blowing. To get a 1-2 from a day like that is really incredible. Most of the credit for that must go to the drivers, who kept their heads in very difficult conditions.
“It was great to see such a thrilling race in the end too for the crowd at this iconic circuit. Such difficult weather makes it tough to run a safe race and their dedication must be applauded. In the end we had a lot of exciting racing, so I’m happy for them.”
The Kenyan born Brit confirmed all the data pointed to the Brazilian Grand Prix remaining wet throughout and so full wets was the only option as far as Mercedes were concerned.
“From a technical point of view, to us it was clearly a full wet race all afternoon. Twice, others gambled on the intermediate tyre – but we resisted that temptation as the data simply didn’t support it and neither did the drivers.”
“On both the initial start and the two re-starts, that proved to be absolutely the right call. Credit to the team and the drivers for making those choices, which won the race for us today.”
Lowe also commended driver Lewis Hamilton’s achievement of becoming only the second race driver in history to achieve as many race wins, fifty-two in total, with just Michael Schumacher now having taken more victories than the Brit, with ninety-one.
“Congratulations to Lewis on becoming the second most winning driver in Formula One history.”
The drivers’ championship will now be decided at the final race of the season, a fantastic result for the sport, which should ensure maximum viewership in two weeks’ time.
“We now take the Championship finale to the final race in Abu Dhabi, which is a perfect outcome for the sport.”
