The team based in Brackley finished the previous season in second place in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Oracle Red Bull Racing. However, they were significantly behind the dominant champions, earning less than half of their total points.
Mercedes’ biggest disadvantage was their flawed aerodynamic design, known as the “zero-pod,” which resulted in an unpredictable car that only performed optimally within a narrow range.
Improvements were made in 2023, after a frustrating season where they finished third in the standings. However, a complete overhaul in design philosophy was needed in 2024 to reduce the gap to the dominant Red Bull.
With veteran driver Lewis Hamilton entering his final season with the German team, there is an additional motivation to pursue victories and championships to give a positive farewell to the 39-year-old driver. The seven-time world champion is confident that he will end his career on a high note with Mercedes.
It is expected that teammate George Russell will take over as the more experienced driver starting in 2025 and will therefore seek to impress after a disappointing 2023.
Toto Wolff, CEO and team principal of Mercedes, provided valuable insights into the overall atmosphere in the paddock and the initial expectations for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Mercedes boss reflected on the difficulties faced with the W13 and W14 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, and expressed his belief that this year’s W15 will not encounter the same issues.
He stated, “In the past two seasons, we started the year at a disadvantage. The W13 and W14 had their qualities, but they were often challenging to unlock. Consistency was lacking. Our main goal for 2024 was clear: to create a stable and consistent platform.”
By having a more predictable car, the drivers can push their limits to the maximum without fear of exceeding them. Wolff added, “We wanted a car that would react as expected, a car that the drivers could constantly push. And a car that we could continuously develop throughout the year, knowing that we are bringing real performance to the track.”
Mercedes had a relatively successful pre-season test, completing a total of 361 laps over three days. Although it is difficult to determine their relative speed compared to other teams at this stage, Wolff is optimistic about the upcoming season.
Wolff stated that after the pre-season tests, some initial conclusions can be drawn. The drivers are much more satisfied with the overall balance. The fundamental structure is working as expected. The correlation with their simulations appears accurate, which is encouraging. This provides a solid foundation to build upon.
In terms of hierarchy, Wolff predicted that Red Bull would be leading the pack, as expected. The competition within the chasing group seems fierce. Soon, they will have a better understanding of their position in the standings and the task of closing the gap to the front.
Despite this, the team remains optimistic as they approach the first stage of the 24-race campaign. Wolff concluded that regardless of the outcome, the entire team is excited about the upcoming challenge. There is a noticeable sense of enthusiasm in the factories and among those on the track. The approaching year will be long, full of ups and downs. However, it is what makes racing so beloved. They are eager to get started.
The first race of the 2024 F1 World Championship is scheduled to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit on Saturday, March 2, at 6:00 PM local time.
© 2024
The World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Player
Neymar Jr. continues to be the highest-paid soccer player in the world, according to the latest list released by Forbes magazine. The Brazilian forward, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, tops the list with an annual salary of $95 million, in addition to earning a substantial amount from sponsorship contracts.
Neymar Jr., 30, has been a dominant figure in world football since he began his professional career at Santos FC in Brazil. His record-breaking transfer to Barcelona in 2013 and subsequently to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 made him one of the most expensive and valuable players in the world.
In addition to his astronomical salary, Neymar Jr. also earns a lot of money from sponsorship deals. He is the ambassador for several global brands, including Nike, Red Bull, and Beats by Dre. These sponsorship agreements have earned him millions of dollars extra, further increasing his total income.
However, Neymar Jr. has also faced some controversies throughout his career. He has been accused of diving and has been involved in various on and off-field controversies. Despite this, his popularity and football skills continue to attract worldwide attention.
With his sky-high salary and an endless list of sponsorship contracts, Neymar Jr. tops the list of the highest-paid soccer players in the world. His on-field ability and media presence ensure that he remains one of the most influential and wealthy players on the planet.
Source: Forbes.com
