Mercedes expects Red Bull rebound in Budapest

With 2 victories in as many rounds this season, one for each of its drivers, an already substantial lead in the Manufacturers' championship (80 points against 39 for McLaren in 2nd position), and a W11 clearly above the competition, Toto wolff can only be satisfied with the start of the season Mercedes.

But faithful to the prudence and refusal of complacency that it has established as fundamental values ​​in the culture of Brackley and Brixworth (United Kingdom), the Austrian main team anticipates a return to form for the Red Bull in Hungary this weekend. 

« It's a totally different meeting, assures Wolff. The Hungaroring requires a lot of downforce and includes many turns that are negotiated at low or medium speed. I am convinced that Red Bull will be very strong there. 

They are in front of us in the slow sections, this was the case for Turns 3 and 4 in Austria for example. On the other hand, in a straight line, and in fast curves, we have the upper hand. 

We have had better results in Hungary in recent years but it is not one of our favorite tracks. And the extreme heat still remains our Achilles Heel ». 

The local weather does not predict any heat this weekend in Hungary and Red Bull has not won in Budapest since a victory of Daniel Ricciardo in 2014 (compared to three successes of Lewis Hamilton over the last 4 editions). But let's let good Toto worry because this is his modus operandi.

« I don't want to bore you by repeating that we are always very careful when analyzing our performance, confided Wolff on Sunday evening. We always feel like we can do better. It's as if we are chasing ourselves. This is the culture we have had in place for years ».

Why change a winning recipe?