Mercedes expecting small margins to make a big difference in Baku

Heading to Round 17, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is wary that fine margins will decide the outcome on the streets of Baku, the first of eight flyaway races to close out the 2025 season: “With the European part of the year now complete, we begin the final third of the season this weekend.

"It will be an intense run to the flag in Abu Dhabi, with three teams in the fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship.We lost some ground to our competitors in Monza and know we need to perform better in the closing eight races than we did in Italy if we are to come out on top,” said Wolff.

The high-speed streets of the Baku City Circuit present the first challenge, with Singapore following in two weeks’ time. The venue has built a reputation for unpredictability since joining the calendar in 2016, combining long straights with tight, technical corners and the infamous castle section.

Wolff pointed to the importance of execution: “The track in Baku is a challenging mix of high-speed straights, 90-degree corners and the tight, twisty castle section. It is a good test for both the car and the driver. The grid is tight and once again small margins will make a big difference; if we deliver in the way we know we can, then we can be hopeful of a strong weekend fighting near the front of the field.”

Baku’s 6.003 km layout is the fourth-longest circuit of the year, featuring the longest full-throttle passage in Formula 1, from the exit of Turn 16 to the braking zone at Turn 1. At 2.2 km, the home straight makes restarts treacherous, with the leader especially vulnerable to a slipstream attack into the opening corner.

The circuit demands precision, with drivers changing gear 71 times per lap, the highest on the calendar. It also ranks at the top for braking energy, sharing with Singapore the distinction of having the most zones above 2G.

Mercedes have fond memories of Azerbaijan, with victories in 2016, 2018, and 2019 courtesy of Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, and Valtteri Bottas. George Russell has also made the podium in Baku on multiple occasions, including last season.

The race weekend marks the ninth running of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix under its current name, with its late-season slot introduced in 2024 adding extra weight to its role in the title and Constructors’ fights.