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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Mercedes’ Team Principal Toto Wolff during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
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Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Mercedes’ Team Principal Toto Wolff during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Off the track, there is a different kind of battle brewing between Mercedes and Red Bull. The two fierce rivals have accused each other of having flexible wings, thus taking undue advantage of the regulations in order to bolster their performance. After hearing what Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko had to say about their front wing, this time it’s Mercedes boss Toto Wolff who comes out fighting fire with fire.
It wasn’t just Marko’s comments that Wolff replied to. He also hit back at what Verstappen said.
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Previously, Red Bull’s ace driver Max Verstappen had come out accusing Mercedes of trying to slow them down in the title fight. And the Silver Arrows’ boss claims that he is absolutely right.
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Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff in the FIA Press Conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS
FormulaPassion quoted the Austrian team principal saying (translated via Google), “We have always said that, we believe that the rules are clear and the same for everyone. Does Red Bull say our front wing flexes too? Let’s all protest, let’s see how it ends.
” Max Verstappen says we’re trying to slow Red Bull down? He is absolutely right, we try to slow them down, as they try to do with us.”
This off track fight is just as intriguing as the on-track one of which we’ll surely see more of in Baku. As things stand, Verstappen and Red Bull have the upper hand after a win in Monaco and beating both Mercedes cars in FP1 at Azerbaijan.
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Will it be Red Bull or Mercedes who’ll come out on top in Baku?
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Formula One F1. Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Baku City Circuit, Baku, Azerbaijan. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during practice REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
After the first practice session it’s clearly advantage to the Austrian team. The Milton Keynes-based outfit ended the FP1 in P1 and P4. Mercedes on the other hand saw Lewis Hamilton finish P7 and Valtteri Bottas end up in P10.
Wolff has stated that he expects another tough result in Azerbaijan. But this track is known to throw up quite a few surprises. Moreover, Mercedes can never truly be ruled out, not least on the streets of Baku where they have won 3 of the 4 races.
Irrespective of whatever happens, the 6th round of the 2021 F1 season is bound to be a thriller. Who are you backing to take the plaudits in Baku? Let us know in the comments below.
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