Mercedes faced difficulties in Jeddah last week, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton qualifying in seventh and eighth place respectively. Russell managed to finish in sixth position, while Hamilton trailed behind in ninth. The atmosphere within the eight-time Formula 1 Constructors’ Champions was somber, as they struggled to comprehend the design of their new car for the 2024 season. They had chosen a completely different path in terms of design.
Hamilton repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with his car’s performance in high-speed sections of the track, as he struggled to catch up with Lando Norris in the McLaren. Both drivers were on similar tire strategies, but ultimately, the McLaren crossed the finish line ahead of the Mercedes.
When reflecting on the team’s struggles in Jeddah, team principal Wolff acknowledged their lack of understanding, stating, “There is something which we don’t comprehend. We are fast in almost every other aspect. We are aware that we have a smaller rear wing, compensating for the loss in corners. However, it is in high-speed sections where we are losing significant lap time.”
Wolff expressed concerns about the weaknesses of the W15, emphasizing that the issues extended beyond setup errors. He remarked, “I believe this is a major concern. There is only so much we can adjust. Our simulations guide us, and we choose a setup range accordingly, including the appropriate rear wing. The difference in performance due to setup adjustments may only result in gaining or losing a few tenths of a second. The problem lies in something more fundamental. We expect the speed to be there, we measure the downforce, but it does not translate into lap time.”
Even in the third year of the current regulations, Mercedes continues to grapple with finding solutions to their car’s performance problems. Wolff admitted, “For two years, we have been searching for something that needs to be identified and resolved. We must keep working. It is not due to a lack of effort. We have exerted immense pressure, and we will intensify our efforts in the coming week, analyzing more data to gain a better understanding. We will return to Melbourne with strength. We are determined to overcome this challenge, and I am confident that we will bridge the performance gap.”
If Mercedes persists with this pattern throughout 2024, Hamilton will have no regrets about his decision to join Ferrari in 2025.