Mercedes F1 Team Suffers Double Retirement Devastation at Australian Grand Prix
The Mercedes Formula 1 team had a disastrous start to the season, with both of their cars forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix. Team boss Toto Wolff described the experience as “brutal” for the team.
The race in Melbourne proved to be a nightmare for Mercedes, as Lewis Hamilton’s engine failed while he was making progress from his 11th place starting position. Meanwhile, George Russell crashed on the last lap while battling with Fernando Alonso.
This double retirement left Mercedes in a precarious position, currently occupying fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, with only 26 points. In contrast, Ferrari had a dominant race, scoring a maximum of 44 points with a one-two finish.
Wolff expressed his disappointment and frustration, admitting that it is difficult to find positives in the current situation. However, he remains determined to turn things around and overcome the challenges they are facing.
The team will now have to regroup and reassess their strategy for the future, aiming to recover from this setback. Despite the overwhelming sense of disappointment, Wolff remains hopeful that they can overcome this difficult period.
In conclusion, the double retirement of Mercedes at the Australian Grand Prix was a tough blow for the team. The road ahead will be challenging, but they are determined to overcome the obstacles and return to victory.
Hamilton expressed his frustration with the inconsistent performance of the Mercedes W15 throughout race weekends. Team boss Wolff acknowledged that the lap times in the race reflected Hamilton’s complaints.
When asked about the difference to Ferrari, Wolff replied: “I believe he was 40 seconds behind when I checked. Or maybe it was Norris? Being 40 seconds behind Norris is maybe better than being 80 seconds behind!”
“There were moments during the race where we lacked significantly in pace, but there were also moments where, in comparison, we were doing well. We are not where we want to be yet, but when we compare the second stint, with Fernando on the medium tires, we couldn’t get close. Our lap times were approximately one second slower than McLaren’s.”
“But then, in the final stint, when we decided to push forward without worrying too much, our lap times became competitive. It’s not an exact science, but it was much better.”
Wolff reiterated Mercedes’ belief that their redesigned car for 2024 has the potential to be a significant improvement over their previous problematic cars. He pointed to the improved results of Ferrari and McLaren compared to last year as evidence that Mercedes can recover from this setback.
“So, since the beginning of the season, we have had faith that this car is better than last year’s,” he continued. “When we look at last year and see how Leclerc crashed and Sainz finished fourth (but was penalized and dropped out of the top 10), and McLaren was finishing at the back, and now they are 40 seconds ahead of us.”
“Of course, on one hand, it’s frustrating, but on the other hand, it’s also a testament. It’s a testament that when you get things right, you can change things quickly, and you just need to keep believing. But now, it’s a very challenging period.”
© 2024
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