Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko claims Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen will lose around 1.2 seconds per lap on Baku's long straight – the longest on the calendar – because of their power deficit.
Baku is the second longest circuit on the calendar – shorter only than Spa-Francorchamps – and features a straight which measures around 1.2 miles, making it the longest on the calendar.
Top-speed is therefore crucial to a good lap time and despite Red Bull running the upgraded Renault engine which is much closer in performance to Ferrari and Mercedes than before, it still lacks outright power which the team estimates will lose them a big chunk of time, according to Marko.
"The extremely long straight will not benefit us," he is quoted as saying by Autosport. "Our computer simulations showed we will lose 1.2s per lap there.
"This is almost impossible to make up in the corners, though we have an outstanding car."
Verstappen has also raised concern about getting the right set-up for the race. With the circuit featuring a tight-twisty opening sector before opening up to wider turns and long straights, deciding on front and rear wing settings will be difficult.
"The track looks very interesting because it has such a long straight for a street circuit which will be difficult for the wing setting because on a street circuit you want lots of downforce but with such a long straight you have to find a good compromise," he added.
"Baku is new for everyone. You start from zero which I always like, and it’s always good to discover new countries and new tracks."
