Bottas expects big things from Mercedes' Suzuka upgrade

Valtteri Bottas says Mercedes' Japanese Grand Prix upgrade is expected to bring a "decent step" in performance.

The Silver Arrows have brought new aerodynamic parts to Suzuka as they look to maintain a winning run in Japan that began in the first year of the V6 Hybrid regulations.

Mercedes also stemmed Ferrari's three-race winning run last time out in Russia, although the Scuderia were the fastest team across the weekend, putting extra focus on Mercedes' upgrade on a weekend that they can secure a sixth straight constructors' title.

"We have a pretty solid update package this weekend," Bottas said. "Obviously [it is] getting a try-out tomorrow, but in theory yes, it should give us more performance, how much is something we'll find out.

"We have some rough numbers about it, but should be a decent step, in terms of upgrade packages so far.

"It's been a pretty good car this year, but it is again a track with a mixture of different things.

"There are some decent straights where we definitely have a disadvantage compared to Ferrari, so they're going to be gaining time to us there.

"But there's some good sections full of corners, which we know we are good in, and hopefully with the upgrade package will be even better.

"We've already in the second half had tracks that we thought they should be quite good for us, and they've been able to beat us.

"For sure, if they perform better than us here, it means we need to work harder if we're going to be beating them next year."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 drivers age: How old are Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen, Antonelli and co in 2026?

• 28 minutes ago

F1 champion announces racing return for historic event

• 1 hour ago

F1 News Today: Verstappen claims first race win of 2026 and gets green light for series switch

• 2 hours ago

Reigning F1 champion reacts to controversial Monaco sprint race

• 3 hours ago

F1 champion loses £1.4million tax battle with HMRC as court ruling announced

• Today 12:27

Audi considering F1 sale as CEO reveals 'strong interest'

• Today 10:57