Recently, after a winless campaign in 2023 and only one victory in 2022, we enter the third year of the new Formula 1 regulations. However, the team is struggling to build a fast car. Something is wrong with the former dominant champions, as Lewis Hamilton is about to face his most challenging season yet if performance does not improve.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has chosen an opportune moment to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari, regardless of where the next phase of his illustrious and record-breaking journey will take him.
Now, Mercedes needs to find a driver capable of filling the big void left by Hamilton. Team boss Toto Wolff recently revealed that the selection process has been narrowed down to “one, two, or three” drivers, potentially including the ever-young Fernando Alonso.
However, with the experienced Spaniard committed to Aston Martin this week, it seems that Carlos Sainz or Kimi Antonelli could become possible teammates for Russell in the coming years. This decision poses a challenging dilemma for Wolff, as the team’s success depends on making the right choice.
Following a disappointing Japanese Grand Prix for the German team, Schumacher was unequivocal in attributing blame for Mercedes’ current issues to Toto Wolff. In an interview with Sky Germany, Schumacher stated: “Toto’s situation is incredibly precarious and difficult. He is not used to losing. It’s natural, as he has always been on the path to success, leaving everyone else behind. This is uncharted territory for him.”
Schumacher further explained: “His number one driver [Hamilton] has deserted because he no longer has faith in the team. This also poses a big problem for Wolff. Now he needs to act and ensure that Mercedes remains an attractive destination for top-level drivers.”
Mercedes is actively looking for a teammate for Hamilton, who is moving to Ferrari, and to join George Russell from 2025. Wolff has not hidden his desire to attract Max Verstappen to Mercedes. However, given his current conditions, the question arises of why Verstappen would leave a winning team.
Schumacher commented: “Even if Max leaves Red Bull, Ferrari is now busy. However, I must be completely honest: as a driver, I’m not sure if I would prefer McLaren or Mercedes.”
This statement from Schumacher is harsh, but difficult to dispute, considering that Mercedes’ customer teams, McLaren and Aston Martin, are performing as well or even better than the factory team.
Schumacher expressed his concerns about the current situation at Mercedes, stating that their customer teams, especially McLaren, are outperforming them. He described this as the worst possible scenario for the team. Schumacher also mentioned that he appreciates and likes Toto Wolff, but believes that Mercedes’ current actions are a disaster. He criticized the way they handled the tires, stating that they had been taking care of them for too long. Schumacher questioned why Mercedes did not have two different strategies for their two drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, during the Japanese Grand Prix.
Mercedes tries to convince everyone that they have solved their issues during the Thursday sessions on race weekends. However, their performance in Friday practice sessions is weak, and they struggle in Saturday qualifying. They hope to bounce back during the Sunday race, but that has not been the case. Schumacher compared the uncertainty of Mercedes’ car performance to last year’s model, stating that they never know if they will have a bad or very bad car. Russell, in particular, has never had the opportunity to drive a truly good Mercedes car during his three years with the team.
Since the start of the 2024 season, it has been evident that the Mercedes W15 is underperforming, just like its predecessor, the W14. Russell expressed his frustration with the car during an episode of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ series. Schumacher commented on the current state of the once-dominant team, describing it as chaotic and almost desperate. He believes the team is struggling to understand how things should be done. Schumacher pointed out that the car showed good speed towards the end of the race when it had less fuel, indicating that they should have pushed harder from the beginning. He expressed his surprise that a team with so many experts and strategic capabilities could make these mistakes.
Schumacher, brother of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher, is a sports commentator for Sky Germany, as is Martin Brundle, who works as a commentator for Sky UK.
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Brazilian driver, Carlos Silva, achieved an exciting victory in this Sunday’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. With an impressive performance, Silva overtook his competitors and crossed the finish line in first place.
The race started with a lot of excitement, with several drivers fighting for the lead. However, Silva showed his skill and determination by overtaking his opponents one by one. With bold maneuvers and impeccable driving, he managed to stand out and take the lead in the race.
During the race, Silva faced some challenges, such as adverse weather conditions and technical problems in his car. However, he did not let himself be discouraged and continued fighting until the end. His determination and skill were rewarded when he crossed the finish line in first place, to the delight of the Brazilian fans.
This victory is a milestone in Silva’s career, now positioning him as one of the main Formula 1 drivers. His impressive performance and determination show that he is ready to face any challenge that may arise in his career.
After the race, Silva expressed his gratitude to his team and his fans, who supported him throughout the season. He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and fan support in achieving success.
With this victory, Silva solidifies himself as one of the great names in Brazilian motorsport. His skill, determination, and passion for the sport are inspiring examples for young drivers who dream of following in his footsteps.
The next Formula 1 race promises to be even more exciting, with Silva showing all his talent and determination in the pursuit of another victory. Brazilian fans are eager to see what the Brazilian driver will achieve in his next race.
