Traction is the weakness of our car, reveals Toto Wolff

On the back of a difficult weekend in Mexico City, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff reckons that tracks that require good traction are the most difficult circuits for the Brackley-based outfit's W15.

Mercedes were strong enough in qualifying to secure the third row on the grid, but they were unable to challenge the leading Ferraris and the McLaren of Lando Norris in the 71-lap race.

Lewis Hamilton picked off Russell at the start, but he struggled from understeer on his opening stint which enabled his team-mate to get ahead again.

Mercedes made some vital tweaks to the front wing of his car during his sole pit stop which saw Hamilton display a very impressive performance on the hards.

With Russell having picked up some damage to his front wing, Hamilton managed to close back up to the two-time F1 race winner. After a seemingly never-ending battle, Hamilton managed to find a way past to finish fourth in Mexico.

Although Mercedes were fighting for victories during the summer races, team boss Toto Wolff reckons that the W15 currently lack pace compared to Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

"Overall, P4 and P5 is likely where we are pace-wise with our car at the moment. On circuits that demand good traction, we are not able to compete with those right at the very front. That is frustrating but we are working hard to bring more performance and build momentum for 2025. These final few races are a good opportunity for us to test different things and put ourselves in as strong a position as possible for next year.

"In today’s race, George was hindered by front-wing damage which was costing him a good chunk of performance. He still drove strongly, and his pace was decent compared to Verstappen behind.

"The Red Bull never became a threat to our race after the first pit stop. We also saw that, once he was in free air, Lewis’ speed was good on the Hard compound and comparative to those at the front. We now head to Brazil and will be looking to end the triple-header as strongly as possible."

Mercedes Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin reiterated Wolff's words, claiming that the Brackley-based outfit needs to find more speed for the remaining races.

"Without incidents, P4 and P5 is likely the best result we could have brought home today. Once Verstappen picked up his penalty, we believed we would be interacting with him at some point after those first stops.

"Encouragingly, both George and Lewis had the speed to pull away from him and score solid points. George was hindered when the front wing flap collapsed after he hit a bump during an overtake at the start of the second stint. Despite that, he still maintained good enough pace to bring it home in fifth.

"We let the drivers race each other throughout; that meant that Lewis' tyres were past their best once he made it into clear air. We didn't get a great read on our ultimate pace but clearly we need to find more speed if we are to challenge right at the very front.

"It has not been the smoothest of weekends here in Mexico or at the previous race in Austin. We have learnt a lot as a team though over both Grands Prix.

"With our position in the Constructors' Championship likely set, we also have the opportunity to further our learning over the final four races. We will continue to do that as we head to Brazil and Interlagos for the final race in this triple-header."