Mercedes aims to recover in Baku as Toto Wolff targets second place battle. After a disappointing result in Monza, Toto Wolff aims to recover with Mercedes in Baku.

Wolff prepares for Baku: “A tight battle between three teams for 2nd place in the Constructors’ Championship will begin”

Heading to Baku to forget Monza

Just over a week has passed since the frustration expressed by Toto Wolff after the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where the Mercedes Team Principal appeared far from satisfied with his drivers’ performance, praising instead the winner, Max Verstappen. According to the Austrian, the four-time world champion of Red Bull had delivered a performance that “made everyone look foolish.”

Now, however, it’s time for him and Mercedes to turn the page just days ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on a street circuit like Baku. The track has very distinctive characteristics, alternating between low-speed corners and extremely long straights. Mercedes has previously won in this country on two occasions: in 2016 and 2017, respectively with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton.

From Azerbaijan for the ‘vice-championship’

For Wolff, the goal is to bounce back with both drivers, not only to move past the uninspiring Monza performance but also to avoid losing more ground in the Constructors’ standings, where the Brackley-based team currently sits in 3rd place, 20 points behind Ferrari. “With the European leg of the season concluded, this weekend marks the start of the final third of the championship,” Toto Wolff stated. “It will be a tight race to the finish line in Abu Dhabi, with three teams fighting for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. We lost ground to our rivals in Monza, and we know that in the final eight races we will need to perform better than we did in Italy if we want to return to the top. The overseas races begin with two street circuits: first in Azerbaijan, followed by Singapore in two weeks. The Baku circuit is a challenging mix of high-speed straights, 90-degree corners, and the narrow, twisty castle section. It is an excellent test for both car and driver. The grid is tight, and once again, small margins will make a big difference. If we can perform at our maximum, then we can hope for a strong weekend, fighting at the front.”