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Honda and Renault engined teams can expect to struggle against their Ferrari and Mercedes equipped rivals this weekend.
That is the belief of both Jenson Button and Helmut Marko, who have said that the long straights of the street circuit could prove to be their respective teams' undoing.
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"It’ll be tough on the car with its long, fast straight, strong loads on the ERS and high fuel consumption," said Button, who's Honda-equipped McLaren team has struggled for pace this year. "We need to buckle down and work hard to get our package set up as quickly as possible for the demands of this circuit."
Red Bull's motorsport advisor echoed Button's sentiments, saying that his team would lose more than a second on the long straight, despite engine supplier Renault's recent improvements.
"Our computer simulations showed we will lose 1.2s per lap there," he said. "This is almost impossible to make up in the corners, though we have an outstanding car."
At just over six kilometres long, the Baku City Circuit will be the second longest on the Formula One calendar and will boast a straight 2.2 kilometres long. It is said to be the fastest street circuit in the world.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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