Team Mercedes has been through a transition process throughout the current F1 season. They were still unsure about introducing new side pods in the beginning. That’s why they carried on with the zero-side pod concept. But it did not take them too long to realize the flaws of the zero side pod concept. Hence, they introduced side pods from the Monaco Grand Prix. Moreover, Mercedes added new front and floor suspensions. According to Lewis Hamilton, it did feel like an improvement back in Monte Carlo. Later in the Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes had their best performance of the season so far.
They finished two-three as their only double podium this season until the summer break. Who knows what will happen after the summer break ends? Moreover, the Mercedes drivers are very much aware of what the car needs, and they participate in the development process as well. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell share ideas as to what the car needs to get the most performance out of it. That’s what David Croft is afraid about. The Sky Sports commentator expressed his concerns over who advised the new upgrades of the Mercedes car.
Sky Sports Commentator Raises Concern Over Who Is Ordering The Changes In The W14 Car – Engineers Or Drivers?
Croft recently spoke about the Mercedes upgrades in the BBC podcast show Chequered Flag. He raised questions regarding the concept change of the W14 coming from back at the base or from the cockpit. David Croft worries about who gives the instructions for these engineering changes. However, Croft knows that Lewis Hamilton has a lot of experience regarding what he needs and does not need in the car. Even George Russell gained a lot of experience with the Williams and then came to Mercedes.
However, Croft believes the engineers know far better than the drivers about the car. Earlier this season, the seven-time champion mentioned that he knew exactly what Mercedes needed to change fundamentally. More reasons to worry are key staff leaving the Mercedes team, like James Vowles, the strategy director, moving to the Williams team. Lately, the performance director, Loic Serra, is also ready to leave Mercedes in not so distant future. He signed with Ferrari and will start at Maranello in 2025.
Mercedes Has An Uphill Task Of Beating Their Rival
Will the Mercedes drivers be successful enough to break Max Verstappen’s winning streak? It has been simply ridiculous as to how dominant Red Bull has been this season. Last year they won 17 races. The Dutchman won 15 himself. This year he won 10 already after twelve races. Moreover, the other two went to Sergio Perez, Max’s teammate. It has been a complete Red Bull domination.
The Austrian team might be able to remain unbeaten at the end of the season. It will be a record that is very hard to break again in F1 motorsport. But the former champions, the Brackley team, must try to win at least one race this year. Like they did in the previous year. George Russell, who got the last year’s solitary Grand Prix win for Mercedes, mentioned that the goal is still to win a single race.