Mercedes are currently experiencing their third consecutive year of struggle in the Formula 1 world, far from the dominant Red Bull team and consistently outperformed by their customer teams. Following the conclusion of Round 5 in Shanghai, team principal Toto Wolff expressed his disappointment with Mercedes’ performance, stating that the team was in a poor position overall, finishing in 6th and 9th place. He acknowledged the lack of pace and emphasized the need for improvement. However, Wolff remained hopeful, mentioning that they have something promising planned for the upcoming race in Miami, which could potentially be a significant step forward for the team. Despite their efforts, Mercedes currently sits in fourth place in the 2024 F1 Constructors’ Standings, trailing Red Bull by a substantial 143 points.
When asked about the Mercedes W15 car, Wolff dismissed the notion that it was merely “okay.” He acknowledged that there were mistakes made in the car’s design and setup, as the team aimed to take a more aggressive approach. However, this strategy did not yield the desired results. Wolff also acknowledged Lewis Hamilton’s dissatisfaction with the car, as it lacked turning capabilities. This issue was evident in the data analysis as well. 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 winless streak in F1 further highlights this issue, and it is speculated that he is eagerly awaiting his move to Ferrari at the end of the season.
When asked about the expected improvements from the W15 with the new upgrades in Miami, Wolff remained cautious and did not provide specific details. He expressed his hope for at least some progress. Comparing this season to previous years, Mercedes’ point tally after five races is significantly lower, with only 52 points compared to 96 and 95 points in the previous two seasons. This marks the team’s worst start to a season since 2011.