Formula 1: After the summer break Mercedes [247 Points]

Come on, 2nd place in the constructors championship ain't bad....right?? Behind closed doors, and albeit doors with windows in them, Mercedes is pleased with 2nd, but definitely not happy with 2nd. And why should they be? This is, sorry, WAS the pinnacle team of Formula One...for many years! But really, they actually should feel pretty lucky they are doing as well as they have. No one is catching Red Bull, we already covered that, but the fight to get somewhat of a clear runner up has been a tight one. Mercedes is only 51 points ahead of Aston Martin, and 56 ahead of Ferrari.

So is it a fight for 2nd place, or 3rd? Mercedes needs to string together more podium finishes to stay in 2nd, especially with McLaren now entering the mix for the fight for second or third on the podium. It does make for a fun 'also ran' type of season. You have Hamilton duking it out with Alonzofor third in the Driver's Championship, and Russel tied with Leclerc for 5th with Sainz nipping at their heals. So still some excitement to play out for the rest of the season.

The main goal for Mercedes though? Win a race, or two? Is that asking too much? Maybe, but set your goals high, and keep on pushing as Hamilton says every week. There is certainly no let up in doing so with anyone at Mercedes, and a positive attitude carries a lot of weight, just ask Toto's headsets. Toto will be the first to tell you that every race moving forward is a study session for next year, but he is quietly brewing, maybe even brooding for that Merc to cross the line first on Sunday. Hamilton is wrestling with a car that is slowly but surely coming into its own, his lone pole position this season is signs of things to come, and his driving brilliance still on tap. George is also chomping at the bit to get himself back on the podium with consistency.

They just have to fix their f*cking car (thanks Christian) and they will be odds on favorites for putting the challenge to Red Bull.