Mercedes may struggle to regain their position at the front of the grid under the new regulations set for 2026. The team dominated Formula 1’s turbo hybrid era from 2014 to 2020, winning five world titles and achieving great success. However, they have been unable to replicate this level of performance since the rule changes in 2022.
Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have faced difficulties adapting to the ground-effect regulations, resulting in a lack of race wins for the seven-time world champion since 2021. In contrast, Russell managed to secure Mercedes’ only victory during this era at the 2022 Brazilian GP. Meanwhile, their rival team Red Bull has dominated the sport.
Mercedes has struggled to understand and implement the ground-effect regulations as effectively as their competitors, such as Ferrari and McLaren. These teams have outperformed the Brackley-based team in terms of development. This ultimately led to Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, believing that Scuderia Ferrari would provide better opportunities. As a result, it seems that Mercedes will face another challenging period starting in 2026.
The departure of Lewis Hamilton has been a significant blow for Mercedes. His decision to leave the team can be seen as a lack of confidence in their progress. Hamilton is not the only one who has left the Silver Arrows, as Ferrari has also poached members of Mercedes’ staff, including an assistant and a former racing driver. Red Bull’s team boss has claimed to have hired over 200 engineers from Mercedes, although Toto Wolff denies this and says the number is closer to 20. Regardless, Wolff finds himself in a position where he must defend the team’s staff situation.
The driver line-up for Mercedes is also uncertain. Kimi Antonelli is a potential candidate to replace Hamilton, but it would be a risky move to rely on a rookie if the team wants to compete for the title in 2026.
Mercedes no longer holds the same dominance in Formula 1 as it once did. The team has not achieved a single podium finish so far this season, indicating that their focus should be on preparing for the 2026 regulations. However, their recent progress in aero upgrades suggests that this will be a challenging task.
Toto Wolff and his team will undoubtedly hope for a comeback with the upcoming rule changes. It remains to be seen if Mercedes can reclaim their position at the top of the podium. The year 2026 will be crucial for the future of the team based in Brackley.