Lewis Hamilton, the British driver for Mercedes AMG F1 W15, faced a challenging time during the Monaco Grand Prix practice day on May 24, 2024. Paddy Lowe, the former Technical Director of Mercedes Formula 1, believes that the team’s struggles can be attributed to making incorrect decisions under the current regulations. Despite their previous success with eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships, Mercedes has encountered difficulties since the reintroduction of ground effect aero in 2022. This resulted in their first winless season since 2011. The optimism surrounding their revised car concept for this season has not translated into success, as their main rivals have outperformed them. George Russell, a Mercedes driver, acknowledged that the team made excessive changes during the winter, and Lowe believes that it will take a significant amount of time for them to recover. Lowe emphasized the importance of acknowledging the role of luck in the sport and the potential pitfalls of relying solely on one’s own brilliance. He acknowledged that even with advanced tools and technology, such as wind tunnels and CFD, there is always a risk of pursuing an ineffective aerodynamic strategy. This is evident in Mercedes’ case, as they have struggled to regain their previous performance level. Despite their efforts to catch up, the time lost during their recovery makes it challenging to close the gap with their competitors, who continue to make progress on a daily basis.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is pleased with the recent progress the team has made and is confident that they are back on track this season. When questioned about his faith in Mercedes to bounce back from their setbacks, Wolff responded by saying that it is uncertain whether they will succeed or not. He acknowledged that this uncertainty is what makes Formula 1 so captivating, as champions rise and fall just like empires. Wolff drew a comparison between Formula 1 and the Romans and Greeks, highlighting the many factors that can contribute to success or failure, including complacency. He recalled Williams’ victory over McLaren in 1992, which initially seemed unbelievable but ultimately signaled a shift in the sport. Lowe, who previously worked at Mercedes, believes that the regulation changes set for 2025 will provide the team with their best opportunity to reclaim the top spot. He sees these changes as a disruption that Mercedes eagerly anticipates, hoping to challenge the established order. However, Lowe also acknowledges the current formula’s emphasis on optimization at a micro level, making significant changes within this framework challenging.