“Mercedes could surprise,” Sam Collins’ bold prediction ahead of the Azerbaijan GP
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Mercedes' W13(on the left) and Red Bull's RB18 (on the right) at Jeddah on Friday
Mercedes has not been anywhere close to Red Bull and Ferrari this season but Sam Collins believes the Azerbaijan GP could mark a turning point for their season. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have had to fight hard and need some luck to get on the podium but there were some positive signs for the team in Spain as we didn’t see much of that infamous porpoising. We did see Lewis Hamilton clock some serious lap times at the end of the race.
Despite of that, it’s a bold prediction to put Mercedes ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull, keeping in mind they have hardly put a foot wrong in the season. What makes it more surprising is the fact that Red Bull definitely has a superior top speed to the rest of the pace which will allow them to have that edge on the two very long straights of Baku. But since Baku has always been full of surprises, we can’t take anything for granted.
Last year we saw both the championship protagonists, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, failing to score even a single point despite qualifying P2 and P3 respectively. While Max Verstappen lost the rear of the car to crash into the barriers, Lewis Hamilton had a lock up after the restart pushing him at the back of the grid with last few laps to go.
Also Read: Daniel Ricciardo: “We can make the most of the [Baku] weekend.”
Mercedes could spring up with a surprise at the Azerbaijan GP, according to Sam Collins
Sam Collins and Lawrence Barretto have a difference of opinion on whether Red Bull are favorites going into the weekend.
Lawrence Barretto backed Red Bull saying, “Red Bull were strong here last year and I think they will be strong here again. Their top speed will really be a strength and Verstappen will want to put last year’s misery behind him. I think they have to favourites this weekend.”
Whereas Sam Collins considers Mercedes will be back in the mix. He said, “Half of the circuit suits them and the other half does not. It will be an almighty scrap down the start-finish straight. I’m not sure they’re going to win this race,” as reported by gpblog.
There’s nothing that that the fans would want more than to see Mercedes get back in the fight and make it a three horse race for the title. But for the time being, it looks like a tall order for the German manufacturer.
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