Mercedes, a name that once epitomized success in the 2010s, is now grappling to win a single race. The German team has been going through a rough patch since 2022. Despite having high hopes for its 2024 project, it has fallen short. The drivers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are deeply frustrated with the pace of the W15. Their disappointment is evident as they have failed to secure a top-five finish in the ongoing season.
While the engineers at Brackely are trying their best, the current scenario is a hard nut to crack. As the team sits on the fence seeking answers, former F1 technical head Paddy Lowe analyzes his ex-team’s struggle.
‘It May Get Worse’ Says Paddy Lowe
The eighth-time constructors’ world champions struggle to design a race-winning car. Earlier, in the hybrid V6 era, Mercedes’ was unstoppable, winning every constructor’s and driver’s world title from 2014 to 2020. Even in the year 2021, the team was among the elites of F1, losing the title due to a controversial decision in Abu Dhabi. However, things went downhill after the regulation overhaul of 2022. The ground effect was one of the biggest nightmares for the Silver Arrows as they’re yet to find a way out. The team was optimistic about the change in 2024, but it brought no significant results. After the Miami GP, Lewis Hamilton expressed his displeasure with the W15 as the car is ‘slow.’ Moreover, Mercedes’ customer McLaren and rival Ferrari are improving every weekend as they aim to tackle the Red Bull team. Meanwhile, Mercedes is fighting for its place as their technical struggle continues.
Paddy Lowe, who worked for the Brackley-based outfit from 2013 to 2017, has assessed their situation. He believes the team sidestepped some crucial aerodynamic concepts. In an interview with Motorsports.com, Lowe feels F1 is not just about skill, as fortune plays its part. Therefore, despite putting all the pieces together, the results are far from reality. He proclaimed that Mercedes’s technical team took a ‘wrong turn,’ finding them amid a puddle.
Further, things will get ‘really difficult,’ as things may or may not improve. Lowe recalled his memory of 1992 with Williams, where they beat the undisputed champions-McLaren. Further, he feels Mercedes could get unpredictable results after the 2026 regulation re-shuffle.
The Technical Woes Continues As Mercedes Seeks Answers
Since the introduction of the ground effect, Mercedes has tried every configuration but has failed to produce a competitive car. Moreover, their ‘zero-pod’ design let them down in 2022; thus, it was removed in 2023. On the other hand, the team cannot fix the underlying issues, and their problem with aerodynamics is world-known.
Recently, the team principal, Toto Wolff, confirmed that the team is working on some upgrades. However, he believes short-term fixes are of no help. Therefore, the upcoming upgrade might take a few weeks. Despite lacking confidence, the team fervently desires things to go in their favor.