Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the Silver Arrows squad is going "full steam ahead" into Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, ready to hound poleman Charles Leclerc.
The Ferrari driver pulled out a joker from his sleeve in qualifying on Saturday, trouncing both Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia teammate Sebastian Vettel to claim his fifth pole position in 2019.
However, Mercedes' superior pace in race trim relative to Ferrari as demonstrated on Friday offers the German outfit a reason to believe it can pull off a win at Marina Bay.
"Obviously if you're fast on one lap you've got to have the heat in the tyres for this one lap and it's something that can bite you on a race distance," Wolff said.
"But having said that once you are in front you have a decent opportunity in managing from there.
"I'd rather be on pole with a slightly compromised car than have a great race car but not be on pole."
©Mercedes
Singapore's unique challenges - a twisty track that requires total focus, a long race in the blistering heat - could also turn out to be deciding factors, says Wolff.
"I think it's more difficult here," added the Austrian.
"It's a little bit like Monaco, maybe not as bad, where it's really difficult to overtake – especially when they are fast down the straight – unless the pace difference is enormous. We don't expect that.
"Nevertheless, we're going into the race full steam ahead. The points are being awarded tomorrow, not today."
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