George Russell not expecting Mercedes to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari at Azerbaijan GP in Baku

George Russell expects Mercedes to close the gap on the leading teams at the Azerbaijan GP, but doesn’t think they will be able to challenge for victory. After a difficult start to the F1 season due to issues with porpoising – an aerodynamic problem that results in the car bouncing up and down on the track — Mercedes showed improvements at the Spanish Grand Prix as Russell came third and team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished fifth. Ad/> However, last time out in Monaco both drivers slipped back in the field, Russell coming home in fifth and Hamilton in eighth.

Formula 1Russell has knocked Hamilton off his perch – Jordan on Mercedes power shift02/06/2022 AT 11:30 Russell thinks Mercedes’ W13 car will have better pace in Baku, although likely not enough to challenge Ferrari and Red Bull. “It definitely will be more suited, but I don’t think it’s going to transform our finishing position,” Russell said ahead of the next race of an intriguing F1 campaign so far on June 12. Red Bull respond to Perez-Verstappen incident Jordan: Russell has knocked Hamilton off his perch “At the moment, around Monaco we were six tenths behind, and into Baku we will probably be three tenths behind the front runners we hope, for the best case.” 24-year-old Russell is fourth in the Drivers’ Championship and is the only driver to finish in the top five in every race this season.

He has outshone seven-time champion Hamilton, who is hoping the Silver Arrows' car improves after Monaco. “I’m praying the car doesn’t feel like it does here,” Hamilton said last time out. “This was the worst in this car so far because of the potholes.

“I’m looking forward to it going away – just my teeth, my jaw moving all the time. I’m done shaking. /> “I don’t know if it’s