F1 | Mercedes is tweaking its setup for the Baku GP
Mercedes is heading to the Baku Grand Prix with a revised setup focused on rear balance. The Azerbaijani street circuit demands both aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip through the corners, and Toto Wolff’s team has meticulously prepared for the weekend. Their goal is to close the gap on Ferrari for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, with a setup strategy adapted specifically for Azerbaijan.
Top speed and traction are crucial
The Baku circuit is divided into two distinct sections: up to the castle area, the layout features several 90-degree corners interspersed with long high-speed straights. These tight turns create a start-and-stop rhythm that can overheat the rear axle, a problem Mercedes’ W16 has struggled with this season due to rear suspension limitations.
From turns 13 to 20, aerodynamic support becomes essential to stabilize the car and prevent excessive sliding. The layout is somewhat similar to Monza, where Mercedes previously opted for a setup prioritizing high-speed aerodynamic stability, which inadvertently compromised straight-line speed. This approach left the drivers chasing in the race, unable to capitalize on top speed for overtaking.
For Baku, Mercedes intends to leverage this area of strength, improving efficiency on the long straights. A setup change is also likely to enhance overall performance, with the rearward balance helping to limit lateral rear sliding—a key consideration on this rear-limited circuit. By adjusting stiffness, Mercedes aims to reduce instability while shifting more grip to the rear.
Ride height adjustments for rear stability
Regarding aerodynamic load, the team may adopt a vertical push similar to Monza. On such fast circuits, most of the vertical load comes from the floor. Achieving the right compromise at Baku is challenging, as the street surface is relatively smooth but not perfectly flat.
By reverting to the previous rear suspension specification, Mercedes has regained stability in ride height. This allows engineers to set more optimal static heights, even on bumpy surfaces, which can help stabilize the rear axle and reduce tire overheating caused by sliding.
Temperature management could favor the W16
For tires, Pirelli has brought its softest compounds: C4 Hard, C5 Medium, and C6 Soft. These choices encourage more pit stops during the race by increasing tire wear. The track layout could make it difficult to properly heat the tire core, especially in slow corners.
Cooler temperatures this weekend could benefit the Brackley team, helping them keep the tires within their ideal working window. The W16 performs best when the asphalt isn’t too hot, which also helps manage graining, typically occurring in the opening laps with a full fuel load.
Mercedes may also use the C5 tire in the second part of qualifying. The harder compound helps mitigate rotational deficits caused by surface irregularities, allowing the team to stabilize the tire’s working range during both initial laps and the critical push lap, unlike Ferrari, which may struggle to achieve similar consistency.
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