Thesis: Poor form of Mercedes gives a distorted image

It's an unusual picture: Mercedes was nowhere to be seen during Friday's practice sessions. In the first free practice session the team had to make do with seventh and tenth place, and in the second practice session the drivers got no further than eleventh and sixteenth place.

The question is what is causing the poor form of the team, who are known for their ever strong and reliable form. On Friday there was no sign of that, with the second practice session as the low point.

It was noticeable that the team, especially Lewis Hamilton, was strong in the long runs. Both he and Valtteri Bottas didn't make their qualifying runs though. Where the Mercedes are normally so strong over a lap, the track in Baku seems to be doing them no favours at the moment.

It is clear that Mercedes will have to work long and hard. But will they get their problems sorted out and have everything sorted out before the third free practice and qualifying on Saturday? Or will they take their loss in qualifying and focus on a strong pace on Sunday?