Mercedes, once the dominant force in Formula 1’s turbo-hybrid era, has struggled to regain its footing since the introduction of the “ground effect” regulations in 2022. The team that once swept championship doubles up until 2020 has been unable to produce a consistently competitive car, with their early efforts in 2022 and 2023 marred by bouncing and disappointing pace. Now, as the 2024 season nears its end, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes continue to grapple with the unpredictability of their W15 challenger.
The 2024 car represents a change in philosophy for Mercedes, a step away from their previous troubled designs. While there have been moments of hope, such as George Russell’s win in Austria and his disqualified first-place finish in Belgium, as well as Hamilton’s victory at Silverstone, these highlights have been overshadowed by inconsistent performance. The post-summer break downturn, where Mercedes dropped back in the pecking order, has further demonstrated the team’s struggles to fully understand and optimize the W15.
Team boss Toto Wolff has pointed to tire management as the primary issue, an area where Mercedes continues to face difficulties. The Singapore Grand Prix, in particular, was a low point, with Russell finishing fourth and Hamilton trailing in sixth—a result that further reflected the team’s ongoing battle with consistency.
When asked about the challenges he’s faced with Mercedes’ recent cars, Hamilton didn’t hold back. “The last three years, yeah!” he joked. But he quickly clarified that the W15, while better than its predecessors, still presents challenges. “No, this one’s definitely been better. The last two years made life tough for everyone in the team. I would say these rules have made life tough for everyone.”
Hamilton likened the experience of driving the W15 to the highs and lows of playing golf: “It’s a bit like playing golf. You get one good hit, and it makes you continue, but all the rest of the shots are really bad! It’s that kind of experience. It can be so frustrating, but you still love it, and you still continue to go. You’ve got to keep pushing because you’re searching for that feeling again like we’ve had at Silverstone or Spa.”
The seven-time world champion’s frustration is evident, yet he remains determined to make the most of the final races with Mercedes before his highly anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025. Currently sitting sixth in the 2024 drivers’ standings with 174 points, Hamilton’s focus is on extracting whatever performance is left in the W15 as he endures six more race weekends with the car.
While Mercedes once mastered F1’s turbo-hybrid era, the new “ground effect” rules have proven to be a tough puzzle for the team. With Hamilton’s future set at Ferrari, Mercedes will face new challenges as they aim to return to the top—without their star driver—while Hamilton looks ahead to a new chapter with the iconic Scuderia.
