Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, holds high expectations for the upcoming race weekend in Baku. After disappointing results in Zandvoort and Monza, it’s up to Mercedes to reclaim their path to the podium during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. With a potential historic defeat in the constructors’ championship looming, Wolff is determined to end the season on the best possible note.
Mercedes has struggled with the speed of the W15 in recent races, particularly when compared to rivals McLaren and Ferrari. “Our speed was not as strong as before the summer break, and the other teams have made a step forward,” Toto Wolff stated in an official press release. A few months ago, Mercedes managed to win three Grand Prix. Although the team has shown moments of speed since the summer break, they lack consistency.
Mercedes Strives for Improved Performance
In the weeks following Monza, Mercedes has been working diligently to enhance the grip on their car. “We have tried to identify our problems,” continued Wolff. “Now we have the opportunity to show that we have learned from this – we have made the necessary improvements, both for Baku and the subsequent race in Singapore,” the team boss added optimistically.
Potential Defeat
Mercedes team is facing a potential historic defeat in the championship. The German racing team currently ranks fourth, trailing Ferrari by 115 points. This could be their worst constructor’s finish since 2012. However, Toto Wolff emphasizes that there is still plenty of racing left. “The European part of the season is now behind us,” he explained. “We have eight more races to go before the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi, and we want to end the season as well as possible.”
In the next two weeks, Mercedes will first have to prove themselves on two challenging street circuits. “Both tracks are bumpy, have many slow corners and a number of fast straights,” Wolff elaborates. “They pose a very different test than Zandvoort and Monza. But we will fight for every possible point, starting in Baku.”
