F1 news: Ferrari send Mercedes warning with announcement before Azerbaijan Grand Prix
FERRARI are hoping to challenge Mercedes at Baku after announcing the first of their car developments will be available in Azerbaijan.
After three races of the F1 season, Ferrari find themselves 57 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' standings.
Meanwhile the partnership of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc are only fourth and fifth respectively in the drivers' standings.
The Silver Arrows have already added small updates to their car and Ferrari are hoping upgrades in Baku can make the difference after watching their rivals claim three straight one-two finishes.
“We are bringing a few updates to Baku,” said Team Principal Mattia Binotto.
We are bringing a few updates to Baku
“As the first step in the development of the SF90.
“Coming off the back of three races that definitely didn’t go the way we wanted, this GP is another important moment for us.
“We have prepared for it very well, analysing all the data we have acquired up until now.
“Looking at areas where we can improve and working on adapting the car’s set-up and the power unit management to the characteristics of the track.
“In fact, Baku features a very long straight, which places special demands on the engine, both the internal combustion part as well as the hybrid elements.”
And it is the long straights of Baku that have Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton worried.
The British driver is currently leading team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the F1 World Championship by six points.
However, Hamilton is concerned about Mercedes’ race pace compared to Ferrari for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
"They gain something like 0.4s in a straight line, then lose out in the corners,” Hamilton said after the Chinese Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates success at Chinese Grand Prix
“It will, therefore, be interesting to discover their strategy for the next race.”
And this was a sentiment echoed by Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff.
He explained: "The next stop will take us to Azerbaijan where we've seen some very entertaining races in recent years and I'm sure that this year will be no different.
"Baku is not purely about performance, though, and staying out of trouble is also important for a good result.”