With only six races left of the 2017 season, the competition between Mercedes and Ferrari has become fierce. Going into the Malaysian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton currently leads the driver standings, but it was only recently that he was able to take that position from Sebastian Vettel, who held it for the majority of the season. Hamilton holds 28 points over the Ferrari driver, but he will have to continue to distance himself as Vettel is having one of his best seasons since his last Driver Championship in 2013.
However, Vettel will have to continue to dominate as Valtteri Bottas is closer to him in third than Vettel is to Hamilton. Only 23 points separate Bottas and Vettel, and although Bottas has already gained himself another season with Mercedes, overtaking a four-time world champion would be a great achievement that could guarantee a spot on Mercedes for the definite future.
While that still remains an area for heavy competition, it seems Mercedes is running away with the Constructors Championship yet again. They have over 100 points on Ferrari and have established quite the dynasty over the past four years. Red Bull Racing still holds firmly onto third place in the standings and it seems that is where they will remain– being 143 points behind second place.
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen have shown they are two highly skilled drivers, but when competing against two multiple world champion winners, it has proven difficult to obtain a higher position. However, the two Red Bull drivers may be favorites going into Malaysia as they were able to finish in first and second last year on the Sepang International Circuit.
All will become much clearer next Sunday as Formula 1 competes for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
