As the first quarter of F1 came to a conclusion, Mercedes had accumulated 96 points up until the Monaco GP. The team is going through a difficult moment, and its top driver, Lewis Hamilton, is set to join Ferrari in the 2025 season. Since 2022, the team has struggled and has failed to win a race.
The core of these problems is in the car’s design. The Mercedes F1 project, known as W15, has been disappointing because of several unresolved issues that engineers are attempting to tackle. As a result, the German outfit is working hard to make significant adjustments for the rest of 2024. However, the Mercedes driver, George Russell, believes the Silver Arrows would be in front after reaching the British off-shores.
Mercedes Poised For A Strong Comeback At Silverstone
Mercedes came to the Monte Carlo street circuit with a bunch of upgrades. The technical crew attempted to learn from the mistakes of the previous GPsin the hopes of achieving a better result. However, the performance left the drivers with mixed emotions. The W15 project continues to perplex everyone since the vehicle is continuously behind. The engineers are working hard to resolve this issue but have yet to overcome the aerodynamic hurdles. Mercedes has experimented with several combinations since the ground effect’s debut, but none have resulted in a competitive vehicle. The ‘zero-pod’ concept failed in 2022 and was eventually eliminated in 2023. The team continues to face unsolved challenges, notably in aerodynamics.
However, George Russell is very optimistic about the upcoming weekends. After a decent show at Monaco, the team is eyeing a few subtle changes. While both cars will wear the new front wings in Canada, more upgrades are in line. Moreover, describing the development at Brackley Russell, he said he is excited for the Silverstone GP as the team is going on the right trajectory. The Briton believes these ‘rapid upgrades’ would propel the team to the front of the grid. Further, he talked about Mercedes’ triumphs in Silverstone, which is why he was optimistic. However, fans are running out ot patience now as they alleged Mercedes to be making ‘fake claims.’
Russell Wants To Replicate Alonso And Hamilton’s Longevity
The current F1 drivers’ grid includes some young and exceptional talents. However, a few veteran drivers like Alonso and Hamilton are proving that ‘age is just a number.’ Earlier, racing in the 40s was rare, as the sport was demanding. It depletes the mental health along with physical health.
However, the times have changed, and George Russell now aspires to replicate Hamilton and Alonso’s longevity. Talking with Daily Mail, Russell believes he can continue until the 40s. The Briton said, “When Alonso can perform at 43, I see no reason not to race in my forties.”