Yesterday at 15:20
Mercedes is setting its hopes on a strong result at the Azerbaijan
Grand Prix and recover from the "lost ground" it endured last time
out at Monza. The Brackley-based squad has endured a challenging
campaign and has scored just one podium at the last six rounds.
While George Russell has been a consistent point-scorer during that
period, team-mate Kimi Antoneli has struggled with just three
points in the same time. Mercedes is targeting a second-place
finish in the constructors' championship and understands it needs
to make a step forward in a bid to achieve its goal. "With the
European part of the year now complete, we begin the final third of
the season this weekend," said team boss Toto Wolff. "It will be an
intense run to the flag in Abu Dhabi, with three teams in the fight
for second in the constructors' championship. "We lost some ground
to our competitors in Monza and know we need to perform better in
the closing eight races than we did in Italy if we are to come out
on top." Mercedes has twice won around the Baku circuit, with its
last victory coming in 2019. While Mercedes is not the favourite
entering the upcoming weekend, Wolff is hopeful it can be in the
mix. "The flyaway races start with two street circuits," he said.
"First up is Azerbaijan before we then head to Singapore in two
weeks' time. "The track in Baku is a challenging mix of high-speed
straights, 90-degree corners and the tight, twisty castle section.
It is a good test for both the car and the driver. "The grid is
tight and once again small margins will make a big difference; if
we deliver in the way we know we can, then we can be hopeful of a
strong weekend fighting near the front of the field."
