Mercedes condemned Hamilton to Baku 'race of misery' - Wolff

Toto Wolff has acknowledged Mercedes consigned Lewis Hamilton to a "race of misery" in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The team principal of the Brackley-based outfit explained his outfit knew how difficult the 51-lap race would be for his outgoing driver after a power unit change saw him start from the pit lane.

After the race, Hamilton revealed that part of that decision was contingent upon an incorrectly built component in the back of his W15, which was only identified after qualifying.

The 39-year-old salvaged two points from his afternoon, finishing in ninth, but would have been outside the top 10 had it not been for Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz's penultimate-lap shunt.

Further adding to the miserable grand prix, the seven-time drivers' champion endured a balance issue.

It is something that would have been exacerbated by the problems customary to racing through the pack in Baku, which his boss outlined post-race.

"We decided to do the engine change here [in Azerbaijan]," Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

"We knew that it's going to be a race of misery, because it's so difficult to overtake in Baku, and that's what it was.

"The moment you come closer, you overheat the tyres, and then you go backwards, and I think this is what happened to him. But lots to learn."

Not many good races left for Mercedes

Whilst Hamilton was a beneficiary of the late crash during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, his team-mate was even more fortunate.

George Russell inherited the third and final spot on the Baku podium - a strong result given Mercedes' struggles since the summer break.

Prior to the shutdown, the team was enjoying its best run of form since the latest regulations changes, in 2022, with three wins in the four grands prix up to the mandated two-week stoppage.

However, given how close the top four are, Wolff is hopeful Mercedes can be strong at stages during the run-in, even if there are not "many good ones left" for his team.

"I think where we've traditionally been fast was Barcelona, Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps, at times," the Austrian highlighted.

"What's the next one that's coming? Austin was a good one for us [last year]. Brazil was a good one for us. Not so many good ones left."