Yesterday at 14:05
Why the circuit — not the temperature — suited the W16
Mercedes banked its best result in seven races with P2 and P4 for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in Azerbaijan, vaulting the team to second in the constructors’ standings — four points clear of Ferrari — with a resurgent Red Bull now 18 points behind. But Toto Wolff dismissed the idea that cooler conditions were the key to the performance.
“I don’t think you can simplify like this,” he said, pointing instead to the track’s traits. Shorter, slower corners flattered the car’s strengths, unlike the long, sustained arcs that have hurt Mercedes at other venues.
Mercedes’ Baku breakdown
- Form boost: The P2–P4 marked the team’s strongest finish since its 1–3 in Canada.
- Layout match: Fewer mid‑ to high‑speed, long corners played to the W16’s preference.
- Team‑mate dynamics: Wolff downplayed a close‑quarters restart moment between Antonelli and Russell as part of hard racing with “no ill intent.”
The message from the pit wall is measured: the car can be potent when the track suits it — now the challenge is to carry that competitiveness across a wider range of corner types.
