Mercedes and Red Bull eye Baku GP battle

As Formula 1 approaches the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, Mercedes and Red Bull Racing are expected to be key contenders due to their car efficiency. Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin noted that the W17's ability to perform on low-drag circuits provides a competitive edge, though he acknowledged that Red Bull possesses similar characteristics that will be vital on Baku’s long straights.

Technical challenges at the circuit will center on energy management. The track features a 2.2-kilometer straight, the longest on the F1 calendar. Experts suggest teams may employ different strategies to manage electrical energy deployment. While some teams may opt for a gradual deployment to avoid ‘super clipping’ before the first braking zone, Mercedes-powered cars might instead split the straight into two sections to preserve energy reserves for better acceleration out of Turn 1.