Mercedes hoping for Red Bull 'factor'

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hopes Red Bull will continue to be a "real factor" in the remaining races of 2018 as they look to hold off Ferrari in the title race. Lewis Hamilton jumped 40 points clear of Sebastian Vettel by winning in Singapore, with Max Verstappen slotting between the rivals on the podium.

Red Bull have generally had to wait for races to come to them in 2018, Daniel Ricciardo's Monaco victory an example of Red Bull benefitting from a high-downforce circuit.

Team principal Christian Horner has claimed that Red Bull only expect to be in the mix in Mexico over the last six races – Verstappen and Ricciardo may start this week's Russian GP from the back of the grid due to engine penalties.

However, with Vettel and Ferrari realistically needing to win most, if not all, of the remaining six grands prix, Wolff likely believes greater competition will play into the Silver Arrows' hands.

Drifting into the #RussianGP race week like... ???????????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/yAUKhTpCm4 — Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) September 24, 2018

"Red Bull was a real factor in Singapore," said Wolff.

"And if they could play more of a role until the end of the season. It is good to have them in the mix, it is good for the fans and for the racing. We enjoyed it.

"Mexico will be the next one where on paper they should be really quick, but who knows what happens in Sochi and Suzuka."

Verstappen won in Mexico last year, with Mercedes winning four of the remaining five comparative races.

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