Wolff’s hungry for Baku

TOTO Wolff believes the intensity of this season’s Formula One fight has moved on to another level as his under-pressure Mercedes team head to Azerbaijan bidding to get their stuttering title charge back on track.

Baku plays host to the fourth i nstalment of a championship which has been absorbed by unpredictability, with Mercedes — the sport’s dominant force in recent seasons — lacking a win from the opening three rounds.

Indeed, Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo’s thrilling victory in China marked the first time in the hybrid era t hat t he reigning constructors’ champions have gone three races without a win.

“We know we have a massive challenge on our hands,” said Wolff.

“Last year, we were in a tough fight with Ferrari. However, it was nothing compared to the intensity of this year’s battle.

“Both Red Bull and Ferrari will do everything they can to beat us. Not everyone likes this kind of challenge but we love it.”

Lewis Hamilton, nine points adrift of Sebastian Vettel in the title race, was off the pace in Shanghai as he qualified behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas for a second time in as many grands prix before finishing only fourth.

Hamilton will this week return to the scene of last season’s collision with Vettel in which the Ferrari driver deliberately rammed into him.

It was a race Hamilton should have gone on to win only for a loose headrest to derail his chances with Ricciardo taking the chequered flag ahead of Bottas and Williams driver Lance Stroll.

Toto Wolff