Mercedes anticipates “very difficult” qualifying session in Baku

Toto Wolff expects to relive the scenario of the 2015 Singapore GP where the German manufacturer suffered the law of Red Bull and Ferrari.

Published on 05/06/2021 à 10:45

⁰ View comments)

Mercedes anticipates 'very difficult' qualifying session in Baku

The W12s seem to be struggling even more this weekend / © DPPI

Mercedes has few illusions as qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches.

While we were waiting for a rebound from the W12s in Baku after their complicated Monaco weekend, Lewis Hamilton et Valtteri Bottas were quite clearly left behind during free practice on Friday.

Only 11th in EL2, the seven-time world champion recognized that Mercedes was clearly behind the times. Red Bull et Ferrari who monopolized the outposts. His Finnish teammate, modest 16th in the same session, bluntly mentioned a “ deep pain ". An analysis shared by their boss.

« You can see when reading the times that something is wrong, commented Toto wolff Friday night. We're trying to find the right settings but it's not working. Our car is competitive in racing configuration but we are unable to express its full potential on a flying lap.

The problems seen in Monaco continue here in Baku where we are unable to keep up with the pace on certain portions of the track.

The route has almost no fast turns. The pace is quite jerky with right angle turns and winding sections like in Monte Carlo. We expected to suffer ».

From then on, the Austrian manager is preparing to experience a qualifying session “ very difficult, perhaps one of the most difficult I have ever seen ". " It reminds me of the scenario of the 2015 Singapore GP but we will stand together in the face of adversity », added Wolff.

That year, Hamilton and his friend at the time Nico Rosberg qualified 5th and 6th in the city-state, 1”5 behind the poleman. Sebastian Vettel on Ferrari. In his post-free practice debriefing, Wolff couldn't help but slip in a small reference to the Red Bull's flexible wing to explain the good health of the RB16Bs in the land of fire.

« They were very fast in the twisty sections of Monaco, they are again here, same for Ferrari, concludes Wolff. And then on the straights, if you have a wing that gives you extra speed, it's the ideal combo against us. But you have to know how to take it and do the best you can ».