Mercedes 'In A Tough Position' Amid Performance Struggles Compared To Other Teams
F1Monday, 13 November 2023 at 05:00
Former Jordan technical director Gary Anderson sees the Mercedes F1 team in a tough position going into 2024.
Following the teams "worst weekend in 13 years" in Sao Paulo, multiple F1 experts expressed their concerns about the direction of Mercedes F1 team in the Championship.
While former F1 driver Martin Brundle said the Sao Paulo race was "painful to watch," F1 World Champion Damon Hill expressed doubts about Mercedes' aero department. Writing in his column for the Telegraph, Gary Anderson said:
"Mercedes are probably in as tough a position as I have seen any top team in. It is not a matter of just getting more downforce in the car to go faster. When they do that, they actually probably get worse."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told the media after the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix that Mercedes will change their car completely for the 2024 season.
"They have got a tough task and it will be a clean sheet of paper they need [for 2024] because they have not shown yet that they know exactly which direction to go in."
While Mercedes struggled during the last race in Sao Paulo, their closest competitors, McLaren and Aston Martin, showed great improvement, with Lando Norris finishing in P2 and Fernando Alonso in P3.
"Mercedes look around and see Red Bull starting the season strong and ending the season strong. McLaren started the season weak but are ending the season very strong. Aston Martin started the season strong, lost their way, regrouped and have got back on the podium."
Ferrari has struggled with technical issues throughout the season, but the team has been matching some of the top teams in terms of performance.
Anderson thinks Mercedes does not understand the concept of their car, which shows in their up-and-down performances at various circuits. He concluded:
"Mercedes have never shown that. They are a yo-yo. They could be on the front row one weekend and not get into the top 10 the next weekend. They themselves will say they do not know why."
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