Mercedes has emphasised that it will not take any knee-jerk reactions in response to its underwhelming performance in Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
Mercedes was fourth-fastest in both qualifying and the race in Bahrain as reigning World Champions Red Bull Racing dominated proceedings.
Mercedes customer team Aston Martin finished with Fernando Alonso in third spot while Lance Stroll split Lewis Hamilton and George Russell by taking sixth.
Boss Toto Wolff affirmed after qualifying that Mercedes was wrong to retain its design concept with the W14 and that changes will follow across the coming months.
In an open letter to fans, published on Saturday, Mercedes outlined that “Bahrain hurt – it hurt each one of us who head into every season determined to fight for world championships” but stressed that it will not be over-reacting to the performance.
“The situation we face right now isn’t the one that any of us wanted – but it’s the one we have,” said the team.
“That’s the reality of it. And the simple questions are: what can we do about it, and what will we do about it?
“First, we won’t panic or make knee-jerk reactions. In a spotlight as fierce as F1, people are quick to point fingers, or look for scapegoats. But you know us better than that.
“Inside the team, we talk about having the courage to fail, the character to be accountable and the strength to see failure as an opportunity.
“We have been open and searingly honest about where we find ourselves. And we are working urgently and calmly to build our recovery plan, focusing on what needs to happen short term, medium term, and long term to win.
“We already have developments in the pipeline for the next races – and there will be more to come. But this won’t be the work of a moment; there are no silver bullets in F1.”
The letter went on to emphasise the value of unity amid its current predicament.
“These are the times when character is forged; the times when a team becomes greater than the sum of its parts, tackling difficult problems and conquering them,” the letter continued.
“We’re together through thick and thin – from Toto, Lewis and George, to every single woman and man in the factories in Brackley and Brixworth. And we love that challenge.”
