Mercedes is currently going through its third consecutive year of struggle in the world of Formula 1, far from the dominant Red Bull team and consistently outperformed by its customer teams. After the conclusion of the 5th stage in Shanghai, team boss Toto Wolff expressed his disappointment with Mercedes’ performance, stating that the team was in a bad overall position, finishing in 6th and 9th place. He acknowledged the lack of speed and emphasized the need for improvement. However, Wolff remained hopeful, mentioning that they have something promising planned for the next race in Miami, which could be a significant step forward for the team. Despite their efforts, Mercedes currently occupies fourth place in the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ standings, trailing Red Bull by a substantial 143-point difference.
When asked about the Mercedes W15 car, Wolff rejected the idea that it was just “ok.” He acknowledged that there were errors in the design and setup of the car, as the team sought to adopt a more aggressive approach. However, this strategy did not bring the desired results. Wolff also acknowledged Lewis Hamilton’s dissatisfaction with the car, as he lacked turning ability. This issue was also evident in the data analysis. The team’s inability to understand what makes their cars fast has been a persistent problem since the implementation of the current rules. Hamilton’s ongoing streak without victories in Formula 1 further highlights this issue, and there is speculation that he is eager for his move to Ferrari at the end of the season.
When asked about the expected improvements of the W15 with the new updates in Miami, Wolff remained cautious and did not provide specific details. He expressed his hope for at least some progress. Comparing this season with previous years, the total points of Mercedes after five races is significantly lower, with only 52 points compared to 96 and 95 points in the two previous seasons. This marks the team’s worst start to a season since 2011.
