The eight-time Constructors Cup winner, Mercedes is one of the most successful F1 teams. The Silver Arrows established an unparalleled reign during the 2010s era, winning consecutive world titles. With a driver like Lewis Hamilton and a solid technical team, the German Marque was rewriting the history books. However, everything went downhill when FIA introduced the latest ground effect regulations.
The mantle was passed to Red Bull and Max Verstappen, who have been a formidable force in the ground effect era. With a hat trick of world titles, the RBR squad entered the 2024 season with high hopes. However, according to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, McLaren is emerging as the new leader in F1.
Mercedes Aims For P3 As McLaren Setting New Benchmarks
In a recent interview, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the growing threat McLaren poses on the track, particularly after the Hungarian Grand Prix. He admitted that while Mercedes outperformed Max Verstappen on race day, they might not have been quicker on pure race pace. Wolff emphasized that McLaren has now established itself as the strongest team on the grid under all conditions, setting a new benchmark for others to aspire to. Moreover, Wolff noted that McLaren’s ability to secure top positions consistently is beneficial for the sport as it introduces another competitive team into the mix. Despite Mercedes’ efforts, he admitted that they were not yet at the level needed to match McLaren’s performance.
With 11 races remaining in the season, the Austrian executive highlighted that Mercedes’ realistic goal is to secure third place in the standings. He explained that setting precise targets is challenging due to the variability introduced by continuous upgrades. Aiming for P3 in the championship seems attainable given the current performance gap between Red Bull and McLaren, but Wolff acknowledged that achieving this would take a lot of work.
Mercedes Chief Gives Latest Update On The Second Seat
Toto Wolff praised Mick Schumacher and Fredrik Vesti, underlining both drivers’ significant contributions to the team, notably their efforts in the simulator. He referred to them as unsung heroes who spent Friday and Saturday nights aiding with simulations. The Austrian executive thought Schumacher deserved a Formula One seat and valued having him as a member of the Mercedes family.
Further, when questioned about future driver selections, Wolff said he’d make them later this year, concentrating on what’s best for Mercedes. He emphasized the necessity of avoiding being sidetracked by advancements at Red Bull and instead focusing on Mercedes’ own drivers, particularly Andrea Kimi Antonelli in F2 and the current Formula One drivers.
