Quote Originally Posted by Nitrodaze View Post
After watching the race over again, it is quite clear, the Mercedes operation during the race at Baku was well below that of Redbull. It dearly cost the drivers valuable time due to sub-standard pitstops. Admittedly, the timing with Gasly delayinmg the release of Hamilton had something to do with ther ineffective undercut. The Mercedes pitcrew are now glaringly the weakest link in the Mercedes operation.

The car seemed competitive in Hamilton's hands but Bottas clearly struggled with it. Apparently, he went a different path with his setup from Hamilton. I suppose their driving styles are different. Whatever the case, Mercedes are not looking like winners at the moment. But these bad forms simply highlights how the 2021 regulation has penalized Mercedes and empowered Redbull. And these weaknesses show up at twisty street circuits such as Monaco and Baku. They would regroup and come back strong at the next five races where the strengths of the car would be available to their drivers. But Redbull would not make it easy and would exploit Bottas' poor form this season.

France would be an interesting race as well. As the Mercedes that was dominant there in the past, is not the one racing there in a few weeks time. But it would not be so easy for Redbull either.


For me they were just unlucky with on timing with the release with Gasly, I can't blame the pit crew for that one.

I think things are going to improve a lot for Merc now that two of the unsuited street circuits are out of the way.
Maybe its just the extended Merc dominance that has brainwashed me into thinking this way... but I'm still expecting Lewis to take the WDC this season.