If there’s one team that everyone on the grid wants to beat, it’s Mercedes. The team from Brackley, led by Toto Wolff, is seven-time double world champions in a row and is aiming for an eighth title this season.
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However, the Silver Arrows played their match in Red Bull this year. After a disappointing weekend in Monaco, the Austrian team overtook Mercedes in both championships and led them for the first time since 2013. As Mercedes had to catch up again in Baku, Wolff commented on the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix and his expectations for the weekend.
Toto Wolff believes Baku will be difficult for Mercedes
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Mercedes experienced one of the worst weekends in recent F1 history at the Monaco Grand Prix. Although Lewis Hamilton finished P7 on the fastest lap, it wasn’t enough to stop Max Verstappen and Red Bull from overtaking them in both championships.
Street courses are often Mercedes’ Achilles heel. With Baku being a street circuit, Wolff believes the Silver Arrows could have another tough weekend ahead of them. He thinks so because such routes do not match the characteristics of the Mercedes W12.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff looks on at the team principals press conference during practice for the F1 Australian Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images)
Wolff said: “Baku is next. It is a completely different street circuit than Monaco, but we expect it to be another more difficult one for us that does not particularly suit the characteristics and characteristics of the W12. “
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Although their fights on street circuits are well known, Mercedes has taken two wins in three editions of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton won the 2018 race while Valtteri Bottas won 2019.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff speak on stage at the F1 Live event during previews ahead of the Australian F1 Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Charles Coates / Getty Images)
Wolff pointed out the teams that will face tough challenges this weekend while also outlining Mercedes’ expectations. “Red Bull will be strong again, while both Ferrari and McLaren have made great strides lately,” said Wolff .
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“We expect another challenge on the city streets and after the results of the last race we are more determined and excited than ever to get back on our feet in Baku.”
With Formula 1 returning to Azerbaijan after two years, Mercedes will try to regain the championship lead this weekend. While Wolff doesn’t talk much about their chances, many believe he plays his cards close to his chest. Will Mercedes claim their third victory on the street circuit?
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The post Azerbaijan GP: Wolff predicts another “tricky” F1 weekend for Mercedes first appeared on monter-une-startup.
