Mercedes: 'At sea level we would be ahead of Red Bull here'

Historically, Mercedes' engine has been more affected by the thin air at the high altitude circuit of Mexico than Red Bull Racing's. Would the German racing team be stronger on the track if it was at sea level? Mercedes thinks so.

Engineers for the team believe that the circuit layout is basically more favourable for the car than that of the Circuit of the Americas. "If the circuit had been at sea level, we even think we would be ahead," quotes Auto, Motor und Sport.

The engineers think that the lack of fast corners suits the Mercedes car well. It allows Mercedes to lower the car more than during the United States Grand Prix. In doing so, the team hopes to compensate for the power disadvantage it says it has on Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton sees Red Bull and Max Verstappen as the favourites for victory in Mexico, but at the same time says he does not want to give up hope. "We are not giving up the race against Red Bull yet. But to be able to go up against them, every detail has to be right on our side. The goal is always to win," said the Briton.