‘Small Margins Will Make a Big Difference’ in Baku – Toto Previews Azerbaijan

‘Must Perform Better than Monza’

After heading into shutdown off the back of a podium in Hungary, the team have picked up a further 24 points from the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix.

“With the 'European' part of the year now complete, we begin the final third of the season this weekend,” said Toto.

“It will be an intense run to the flag in Abu Dhabi, with three teams in the fight for second in the Constructors' Championship.

“We lost some ground to our competitors in Monza and know we need to perform better in the closing eight races than we did in Italy if we are to come out on top.”

From the historic layouts of Zandvoort and Monza among the coastal dunes and shaded forests, F1 now heads to the streets, and the eighth visit to the Baku City Street Circuit.

“The 'flyaway' races start with two street circuits. First up is Azerbaijan before we then head to Singapore in two weeks' time,” said Toto.

There are few tracks – if any – that possess the characteristics of Azerbaijan’s capital, with the layout testing drivers with the narrowest corner and longest full-throttle run on the calendar.

‘A Good Test for Car and Driver’

Toto added: “The track in Baku is a challenging mix of high-speed straights, 90-degree corners and the tight, twisty castle section.

“It is a good test for both the car and the driver.”

The pendulum in the battle for runners-up in the Constructors’ has swung back and forth in recent weeks, with the gap to Ferrari ahead currently at 20 points.

“The grid is tight, and once again small margins will make a big difference,” said Toto.

“If we deliver in the way we know we can, then we can be hopeful of a strong weekend fighting near the front of the field.”