Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Toto Wolff’s Concern Over Lackluster Baku Race Toto Wolff Comments on Dull Azerbaijan GP
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, expressed his disappointment with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, calling it “boring.” He believes that Formula 1 needs to examine ways to make races more engaging and entertaining.
Wolff stated, “It wasn’t a thriller. The lack of overtaking, even with significant pace differences, didn’t make for great entertainment. It’s nearly impossible to overtake unless the other driver makes a mistake, even if you’re within 0.2 seconds.”
Wolff did not directly blame the new 2022 regulations for the dull race but emphasized the need to investigate the reasons for the lack of excitement.
Impact of the New Sprint Format
The Baku event featured a revised ‘sprint’ format for the first time. This format introduced an additional qualifying session determining the grid for the sprint—a shorter race on Saturday—which is entirely separate from the main grand prix. Previously, the sprint outcome would establish the main race’s grid.
The sprint format received mixed reactions. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen suggested scrapping the idea, while others enjoyed the new structure but preferred limiting it to a few events annually.
Wolff mentioned that the only action near the front involved a collision between Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell, followed by a verbal dispute in the pit lane. He stressed the importance of analyzing the sprint format’s impact on racing.
Do the New Rules Affect Racing?
As overtaking becomes increasingly challenging, Wolff’s comments coincide with concerns from F1 teams and drivers. Last season, F1 implemented rules designed to narrow the field and facilitate overtaking.
Although following other cars is now easier than before the rule change, drivers reported increased difficulty this year due to car development. Simultaneously, the slipstream effect behind other cars has diminished.
Far from enhancing competition, one team is dominating the sport. Verstappen broke the record for single-season wins in 2022, and Red Bull claimed victory in all four races this season, potentially monopolizing the championship.
Red Bull’s Dominance and Ground Effect
To enable cars to run closer together, F1 introduced the ‘ground effect,’ a phenomenon that uses underbody tunnels to generate downforce. This design demands a flat, stiff car for optimal performance.
Red Bull seems to have surpassed its competitors by effectively controlling the car’s ‘platform,’ minimizing movement and consistently producing downforce. Wolff believes that Mercedes’ performance issues are “more about ride control than sheer downforce.”
He urged other teams to catch up with Red Bull, stating, “We see a pattern. There are two Red Bulls, six cars, and then the third division. That has been the pattern for the first four races, and we have to shake that up somehow.”
Wolff concluded by emphasizing the importance of merit-based victories and called on teams to outsmart Red Bull rather than resorting to rule changes.
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