Wolff blames Albon after Mercedes Azerbaijan qualifying struggle

Toto Wolff has blamed Alex Albon for what proved to be a "disappointing" Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session for Mercedes. 

George Russell had surprisingly topped third practice ahead of qualifying, although the Briton could only secure fifth on the grid, two places ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The Mercedes team principal was frustrated with the performance and blamed cooler tyre temperatures caused by Albon stopping at the end of the pit lane. 

The Williams driver had to bring his car to a halt at the end of the pit lane in the closing minutes of Q3 after Williams forgot to remove the airbox fan from his car. 

"It's actually disappointing," Wolff told Sky DE. "This is a Charles Leclerc circuit, but I think we could have been second or third, probably third. 

"It was so close. And with the way Alex Albon came to a halt at the exit of the pits, our tyre temperature went down and that's why the first sector was so bad."

Wolff targets podium

Despite a frustrating qualifying, Wolff believes a podium at the Baku Street Circuit remains on the cards for the Brackley-based team. 

A strength for Mercedes in Baku has been the speed of its W15 along the 2.2 km main straight, which will prove crucial for performing overtakes going into Turn 1.

Wolff, however, has identified an issue the straight-line speed of its car could cause during the race. 

"A podium is still possible, but then everything has to come together," Wolff explained. 

According to the 52-year-old, it is "difficult to estimate" how quick Mercedes will be in race trim, because "we really have a lot of speed on the straights". 

The Austrian continued: "That's an advantage, but it can also mean more sliding on other parts. And I think Ferrari can never be written off here. They were also so strong in the previous race."