F1 Australian GP: “Max has shown incredible pace,” Mercedes F1 deem Max Verstappen as their secondary target

Mercedes have deemed Max Verstappen to be their secondary target as the battle with Ferrari and Aston Martin rages on.

F1 Australian GP: “Max has shown incredible pace,” Mercedes F1 deem Max Verstappen as their secondary target

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton (L) | Red Bull's Max Verstappen (R)

Max Verstappen has qualified on pole for the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. This is the Dutchman’s first time managing to do so down under. However, Mercedes F1 seems to be on a role having qualified P2 and P3. Nevertheless, with a surprising result in qualifying, the team still isn’t really keen on considering Max as their main rival for Sunday’s race. The team has a different goal.

George Russell has managed to qualify P2 and also out qualify teammate Lewis Hamilton in P3. While the duo is looking strong for the weekend, there are doubts about whether they will challenge Max Verstappen for the win. The 2-time world champion has been on a roll since the start. Having won the first race of the season and achieving P2 in the second round, the Dutchman is leading the drivers’ standings.

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However, it is still not clear whether Mercedes should be ruled out from getting a race win as their performance has improved in recent weeks. With the weather playing a major factor, teams haven’t been able to prepare well for the Australian GP. Getting the tires in the right temperature is crucial for qualifying at this track and Mercedes seems to have aced that.

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Read More: F1 Australian GP: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell “disappointed,” as Max Verstappen outclassed ‘unexpectedly fast’ Mercedes for Pole

Andrew Shovlin and Mercedes aren’t focused on beating Max Verstappen

Mercedes' trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin

As per Formula1.com, Mercedes’ Andrew Shovlin said: “It’s been a tricky weekend due to the cool conditions but a solid job by the team and drivers to land the tyres in the right window when it counted. We’d seen some good laps by the Ferraris and Astons across the weekend, so we’re ahead of our own expectations to be starting second and third.”

The Mercedes trackside engineering director added: “Max has shown incredible pace in both races so far. Assuming that carries into tomorrow he’ll be able to manage the tyres and build a gap all at the same time. However, our fight at the moment is with Ferrari and Aston and if we can stay ahead of them, we’ll be very happy,”

The chance of a first-lap duel between Max Verstappen and the Mercedes drivers is very likely. Lewis Hamilton can quite possibly get a good start and pass the front-row pilots at Turn 1 itself. However, Max and Red Bull seem to have the dominant package and have incredible form behind them. With Max’s best result in Australia being a podium, it might change tomorrow. Everything is to play for.

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