The Mercedes has been strongest on low-downforce, high-speed circuits with fast corners and finds its tyre-operating temperature window better in cooler climes. It has the more powerful engine but a longer wheelbase.
The Ferrari comes into its own on high-downforce circuits with slower corners. It enjoys superb balance on entry and exit through the twisty stuff and has a wider operating window in high temperatures.
Singapore 17 Sept
The Marina Bay street circuit’s 23 corners, many of 90 degrees, and short straights demand high downforce rather than power – the longest period of uninterrupted full throttle lasts only nine seconds and although it is a night race temperatures and humidity remain high.
Advantage: Ferrari.
Malaysia 1 Oct
Sepang presents an intriguing mixture of high and medium to slow-speed corners, that demand a setup compromised to be optimised across them all. The two long straights will reward straight-line speed with 60% of the lap at full throttle. High temperatures will once again be a factor.
Advantage: Mercedes. Track position from qualifying, as at Spa, may prove crucial.
Japan 8 Oct
Fast, technical and challenging, Suzuka is rightly popular with fans and drivers because it combines so much across the 3.6-mile lap. A combination of low, medium and fast corners – the high speed sweep of the essess, 130R, the double apex at Spoon, the hairpin and chicane.
Advantage: Evens. Too close to call, both cars bring strengths to Suzuka, which could make for an absolute classic.
USA 22 Oct
The Circuit of the Americas has more fast corners than Spa and more slow corners than Hungary. Turn three to turn nine is fast, similar to Maggots-Becketts-Chapel at Silverstone but it is followed from the hairpin at turn 11 by a twisting, technical section that requires strong downforce.
Advantage: Mercedes. Making the most of the first half of the lap should prove enough.
Mexico 29 Oct
A tight stadium section at the end of the lap requires grip and balance (turn 13 is taken at only 45mph). The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez also includes two big straights. The high altitude and thin air affects engine performance, so any power deficit will be exposed.
Advantage: Mercedes.
Brazil 12 Nov
Interlagos offers differing ways to approach its magnificent challenge. It can be attacked and rewards a strong front end. Adapting a low-drag approach for the long run from Junção into turn one can pay off but equally high downforce through the infield middle sector is a major boon. The potential for high temperatures will also be factored in.
Advantage: Evens. A compromise setup puts track position at a premium.
Abu Dhabi 26 Nov
Opening with the circuit’s two fastest corners, which are followed by two straights, Yas Marina also features a technical section with a host of slow turns. Again setting up the car to maximise specific sections is the judgment call. Moving from twilight to darkness also affects grip and performance but offers dropping temperatures.
Advantage: Mercedes. Little to chose between them but the opening two thirds of the lap plays to Mercedes’ strengths.
