Mercedes Failing Last Two Seasons Is 'Good' In Long-Term Hakkinen Suggests

Saturday, 27 January 2024 at 21:00

Mika Hakkinen believes the previous two unsuccessful seasons will benefit the Mercedes team moving forward.

Many F1 teams would like to call third and second place in the Constructors' Championship an unsuccessful season. But for Mercedes, it really is.

The German team went from winning eight consecutive Constructors' World Championship titles to not being able to score a single Grand Prix victory in 2023.

The team principal of Mercedes Toto Wolff made it clear his one and only goal is to compete for the title. But can Mercedes do it in the upcoming seasons? Double World Champion Mika Hakkinen told Bild:

"Mercedes is at a crossroads. There has not been a question mark over the team for a long time. After a decade full of success, the past two seasons have left their mark on those responsible and employees. And that's good!"

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Mercedes is under pressure to finally perform after two years without success. However, historical trends show that when one team's domination ends, it usually takes a longer period of time to recover.

Ferrari has not fully recovered since their last dominant era with Michael Schumacher, and Renault/ Alpine has not been able to achieve the same results ever since 2006.

It took Red Bull nine years to get their next Constructors' Championship after Sebastian Vettel's era with the team ended in 2013. Mercedes is playing against the odds at the moment and the German team knows it.

"You have to be angry now. Now, you have to develop this unconditional will to win again. The team has to become a team again and develop this blind understanding. That is currently missing."

Red Bull's team principal expects Silver Arrows to "get it together" in the 2024 season. Could Mercedes possibly take on the team from Milton Keynes already this year?