From Las Vegas to Lusail:

Toto Previews Qatar

Twenty-two down, two to go. The team will head to the Middle East in buoyant mood.

"We are looking forward to the penultimate race of the season in Qatar off the back of our one-two finish in Las Vegas," said Toto.

"The team did a great job across the three days in the United States. We were quick throughout and executed well on Saturday night," he added.

After a challenging run of races following the summer break, Vegas was a fitting reward for the effort put in trackside, and at Brackley and Brixworth in the past few months.

"A highlight result is exactly what we wanted at the end of the season, and it is well-deserved given the hard work and determination everyone has shown in the second half of the year."

There was high praise too for both Lewis and George, who had very different but equally impressive races.

Between them, the pair topped every session and led every lap of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.

"George controlled the race from pole position, drove superbly and had pace in hand to spare," said Toto.

"Lewis meanwhile put in a stellar comeback from P10, cutting his way through the field to P2 to secure the top two steps of the podium for the team."

A triple-header though, allows little time for resting on laurels.

"The celebrations were enjoyed on Saturday night before focus quickly returned to the two Grands Prix ahead of us," said Toto.

If Las Vegas provided our team and drivers with one extreme, what lies in wait this weekend will be quite the other.

From one of the coldest races of the season, to one of the hottest.

With average track and air temperatures down at 18 degrees Celsius in Nevada, teams will have to contend with the mercury up in the thirties in Qatar.

"The races in Las Vegas and Qatar couldn't be more different," said Toto.

"The Lusail International Circuit has many high-speed sections and few, if any, big braking zones.

"Despite going there slightly later in the calendar than last year, it will still be very warm too.

"That is in contrast to the cool conditions and many slow speed sections of Las Vegas."

Whatever the weather, the aim will remain the same in Lusail.

Toto said: "We are aiming for another strong showing this weekend. The W15 has looked more at home at circuits with lots of high-speed corners, such as Silverstone or Spa.

"We certainly benefitted from the night-time cold of the desert in Las Vegas, but the layout in Qatar should be more favourable to the strengths of our car.

The team have tasted success in the desert before, with Lewis taking victory on F1's first visit to the circuit in 2021.

Last season, a strong start in the Sprint race saw George lead eight laps.

The circuit will host the Sprint race format again this weekend, and Toto is expecting a close fight between the top four teams.

"We know our competitors will be stronger than they were last weekend, but we will be aiming to get the car in a good window once again and be in the fight at the front."