McLaren getting prepared to overtake Red Bull in Azerbaijan
McLaren has the opportunity to ascend to the top of the Formula One constructors' standings this weekend at the Baku street circuit, a venue that has historically favored the reigning champions and current leaders, Red Bull.
The British team embarks on the final long-haul segment of the season trailing their struggling competitors by a mere eight points, having outperformed them by a greater margin in each of their last five races.
Lando Norris, who is currently 62 points behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the drivers' championship, has yet to secure a podium finish in Baku, while his teammate Oscar Piastri, sitting 106 points off the lead, finished 11th as a rookie last year.
However, this weekend may present a different scenario, as McLaren's upgraded vehicle has demonstrated impressive speed across various circuits.
A significant consideration will be whether team orders will be implemented to enhance Norris's prospects, particularly after a missed opportunity in Monza.
"Our objective is clear. I have complete confidence in the team to continue their efforts and improvements. With both championships now in play, our determination has intensified. I take pride in the team and eagerly anticipate our performance this weekend," stated the British driver.
Once a dominant force, triple champion Verstappen is currently experiencing a six-race losing streak, having finished sixth in the latest round in Italy, which was won by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
The Dutch driver achieved victory along the Caspian Sea in 2022; however, his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez holds a superior record at that location, being the sole driver to have secured two wins.
"Monza presented significant challenges, and our primary focus is to restore our performance to the necessary level," stated Verstappen, who has been utilizing the factory simulator in preparation for the initial segment of a double-header in Singapore.
"The team has been diligently addressing the issues we have encountered with the car in recent races."
During the Monza event, Verstappen characterized his vehicle as an unmanageable beast.
While Red Bull has claimed victory in the last three races in Baku, Leclerc is pursuing his fourth consecutive pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with his team trailing Red Bull by only 39 points and eight races remaining.
The Ferrari driver, along with teammate Carlos Sainz, may emerge as strong contenders for success at a challenging circuit that features rapid slipstreaming on the straights and intricate, winding turns through the historic town.
"We have generally been quite competitive here, and it is also one of Charles’ preferred tracks. Following our victory in Monza, we are eager to continue this momentum," remarked team principal Fred Vasseur.
Mercedes has valid reasons for optimism, despite facing challenges in recent races in the Netherlands and Italy, as they are the only team besides Red Bull to have secured a victory in Baku.
"We approach Baku with the intention of delivering a performance that surpasses what we demonstrated in Zandvoort and Monza," stated team principal Toto Wolff.
"We have the chance to prove that we have learned from our experiences and made the necessary improvements for this weekend in Azerbaijan, as well as for the following week in Singapore."
Kevin Magnussen will not be participating in the race, having incurred a one-race suspension due to accumulated penalty points.
Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who is set to take Magnussen's place next season, will step in for the second time this season, having previously replaced the appendicitis-affected Sainz at Ferrari in Melbourne.
SportsLigue