In a season of unexpected twists and turns, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has praised McLaren for dethroning Red Bull to claim the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, even as the Silver Arrows endured one of their most challenging campaigns in recent memory. McLaren, a customer team powered by Mercedes engines, delivered a stunning performance that Wolff described as a “victory for Mercedes Motorsport as a whole.”
McLaren’s Triumph: A Benchmark for Mercedes
Wolff, known for his candid assessments, admitted he was content with McLaren’s success, even if it highlighted Mercedes’ own shortcomings.
“To be honest, if we can’t win as a works team, I’d much rather be beaten by a customer team,” Wolff said. “I have zero problem with that because it shows us where the benchmark is.”
McLaren’s rise was a testament to their superior chassis design, operational execution, and driver lineup, all of which combined to deny Red Bull a third consecutive Constructors’ title. Max Verstappen may have secured his fourth straight Drivers’ Championship, but McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated the team competition.
A Success for Mercedes Motorsport
Despite the defeat, Wolff framed McLaren’s triumph as a shared achievement for Mercedes, given the partnership between the two teams.
“This is a success for Mercedes Motorsport, a success for Mercedes, and a success for HPP,” Wolff emphasized, referring to Mercedes’ High Performance Powertrains division.
The Austrian was quick to point out that McLaren’s win validated the capabilities of Mercedes engines, even if the Woking-based squad outperformed the works team on the grid.
“World Champion is our customer team. They have equal material. We fight on the same terms. And if they have a better chassis, better execution, or better drivers, then that’s completely fine for us,” he stated.
Diplomatic, But Determined
While Wolff’s remarks appeared diplomatic, they underscored an undeniable truth: Mercedes cannot afford another season trailing behind its customer team. For the Silver Arrows, being bested by McLaren—regardless of the shared power units—was a wake-up call.
“Losing to a customer team is not a pleasant sight for any manufacturer in Formula 1,” Wolff admitted, hinting at the need for significant improvements over the winter break.
The challenge is clear: Mercedes must use McLaren’s success as motivation to regain their competitive edge. Whether through chassis development, strategic execution, or maximizing their driver potential, the Silver Arrows will be under immense pressure to reclaim their dominance in 2025.
A New Era of Rivalries?
McLaren’s Constructors’ Championship marks a turning point in Formula 1’s competitive landscape. With Red Bull looking to bounce back, Mercedes eager to reassert themselves, and McLaren emerging as a genuine powerhouse, the stage is set for an electrifying 2025 season. For now, Wolff’s focus remains on learning from the team’s setbacks and using McLaren’s success as a benchmark for resurgence.
