Mercedes vs Ferrari in £8m duel; Russell: Merc in best place for two winters

Abu Dhabi GP: Mercedes and Ferrari braced for duel in F1 finale as George Russell offers hope for 2024 Mercedes' George Russell: "I would definitely prefer to be in the position we are than their shoes"; Ferrari's Charles Leclerc: "If we do everything perfect it is possible; watch the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP live on Sky Sports from Friday, with Sunday's race at 1pm Last Updated: 23/11/23 4:12pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player With Mercedes just four points ahead of Ferrari, George Russell fancies their chances of securing second place in the constructor standings in the season finale at Abu Dhabi With Mercedes just four points ahead of Ferrari, George Russell fancies their chances of securing second place in the constructor standings in the season finale at Abu Dhabi George Russell believes Mercedes and Ferrari's duel for second place in the Constructors' Championship at the Abu Dhabi GP will prove to be very close, but believes his team can prevail in Sunday's season-ending race. In a campaign absolutely dominated by Red Bull, ex-champions Mercedes and Ferrari have instead been forced to focus on the fight for second and arrive at 2023's final round separated by just four points in the former's favour.F1 teams receive prize money based on their finishing position in the Constructors' Championship with the difference between each place thought to be around £8m ($10m). "We are excited for the challenge ahead," said Russell in Thursday's pre-event press conference."It's going to be a close fight with Ferrari. They are obviously coming off the back of a strong race [in Las Vegas] but I would definitely prefer to be in the position we are than their shoes."I think we need to go out there, focus on ourselves, try to be as fast as possible and if we do so we will finish ahead."They were definitely pretty competitive here last year but we have been surprised a lot this season of which teams are faster, which races and visa-versa. So we are going in with an open mind."Qualifying I think they will have slightly the upper hand as they have tended to do so this season but Sunday I think we will be a different story and we will have a good race." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Charles Leclerc was thrilled with the performance of his Ferrari in the last race at Las Vegas, while Carlos Sainz says he'll use the winter to sort out his future in the team, with 2024 being the final year of his contract Charles Leclerc was thrilled with the performance of his Ferrari in the last race at Las Vegas, while Carlos Sainz says he'll use the winter to sort out his future in the team, with 2024 being the final year of his contract Ferrari certainly arrive in the Middle East with the momentum in the race for second having taken 52 points out of Mercedes' advantage in the last nine races.Charles Leclerc finished an impressive second last week in Las Vegas after running Max Verstappen close for victory."I believe that Vegas is very special and very specific, so I do not expect us to be as competitive here. But if it is [the case that Ferrari are competitive] then it is a good sign," said Leclerc. Mercedes vs Ferrari in F1 2023 Mercedes Ferrari Points 392 388 Wins 0 1 Podiums 7 8 Poles 1 7 Two-car points finishes 14 13 Laps led 19 117 DNF/DNS/DSQ 5/0/1 4/2/1 On the battle with Mercedes, Leclerc added: "We are disappointed with our season, but we both had a very similar season and that's why we are only four points apart. I don't think one deserves it more than the other but obviously I am driving for Ferrari, I love Ferrari and I want Ferrari to be on top of Mercedes."So I am fully motivated to finish in front of them and I am pretty sure that as a team if we do everything perfect it is possible. But however, we expect Mercedes to be super competitive here as they have been very strong historically here so I hope we can make everything perfect and finish in front of them anyway." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky F1's Anthony Davidson takes a look at the Yas Marina Circuit ahead of this weekend's final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Sky F1's Anthony Davidson takes a look at the Yas Marina Circuit ahead of this weekend's final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix For team-mate Carlos Sainz, looking to cement a career-best fourth in the drivers' standings, the final weekend of a long season offers dual motivation."If we beat Lando [Norris] and Fernando [Alonso] in the drivers' it probably means we've had a good race and probably means we are also beating Merc," said Sainz."Just putting that extra bit of intensity to this last race, at least I have something to fight for. Everyone is very tired at this stage of the season and looking forward to the break but having those coupl