F1 Schedule Highlights: Mercedes Faces Challenges in Baku Qualifying

Mercedes Experiences Challenges During Azerbaijan GP

With the F1 schedule bringing excitement to fans, Mercedes faced a tough day at the Azerbaijan GP as Toto Wolff acknowledged issues arising from Alex Albon’s fan-induced incident affecting tire temperatures. Mercedes had shown promise during practice, with Hamilton and Russell leading early sessions, but they ultimately qualified fifth and seventh, respectively.

The Impact of Alex Albon's Incident

Wolff remarked, “This is a Leclerc track and Ferrari deserves credit for their performance,” explaining that had the tire temperatures been maintained during qualifying, they could have finished higher. Instead, they experienced a poor start largely due to Albon's car being stuck at a critical point during the session.

Hamilton and Russell Reflect on Qualifying

Even after a successful practice session, Hamilton expressed frustration over the drop in performance, commenting, “Every Saturday, it's the same.” Russell emphasized that the team’s decision not to run a new floor was indicative of the ongoing performance challenges. He concluded that their recent results might not have been solely due to the car’s floor specification but rather a combination of issues.