Why Baku is exposing Mercedes again
Mercedes hasn't won a race yet in 2018, but it has arguably had the pace in all three of the opening races if circumstances had been different. Unfortunately, this weekend in Baku looks to be its worst weekend yet in terms of pace relative to its rivals
If Mercedes was hoping to come to Baku and launch its recovery during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Friday practice will have come as a rude awakening. If anything, Mercedes is worse off than it was when it was defeated in China two weeks ago and both Red Bull and Ferrari look to have a decisive advantage.
The Mercedes still shows glimpses of prodigious underlying speed. But if you can't unleash that consistently, be it over a single qualifying lap or a full race stint, then it counts for nothing. Baku is throwing up many of the challenges Mercedes has fallen short in facing so far this year - and there's no sign yet things are going to get any better.
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