Mercedes is facing another challenging start to the Formula 1 season. The team is struggling to adapt to the new ground effect regulations, and their new car W15 for 2024 is proving to be too unstable for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. This difficult situation comes after Mercedes made changes to their design philosophy following the failure of their radical zero sidepod concept in 2022 and 2023. Unfortunately, their efforts have not brought the progress they were hoping for as they prepare to bid farewell to Hamilton, who will join Ferrari in 2025.
Despite initially planning to skip the Japanese Grand Prix to attend to various tasks in Europe, Mercedes team boss Wolff eventually decided to make the trip to Suzuka. When asked about his change of plans during the team principals’ press conference, Wolff explained that he felt it was important to be with the racing team. He acknowledged that there is much to be done in Europe, but being close to the action and experiencing new ideas energizes him. He hopes his presence will also benefit the team. In the end, he decided not to stay in Europe.
Reflecting on Mercedes’ struggles in 2024 compared to previous years, Wolff emphasized that every sports team goes through periods of difficulty. Despite their unprecedented eight consecutive victories, it is impossible to win every time. He described the current situation as a super challenge, as it is not just about one race or one season, but the third consecutive year of challenges. However, Wolff remains confident that in a few years, they will look back and recognize the importance of these tough times in the team’s development. It is an opportunity to reassess their tools and systems, which are not performing well under the new regulations.
Currently, Mercedes occupies fourth place in the 2024 F1 Constructors’ Championship, with 26 points. They are actively looking for a replacement for Hamilton in 2025 and have already narrowed down their options to two or three drivers, according to Wolff.
