Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has conceded that the team failed to get a complete grasp on Formula 1‘s ground effects regulations from the very start.
After a dominant run of eight consecutive Constructors’ titles between 2014 and 2021, the German marque has drastically underdelivered since the last rules change.
The Brackley-based squad kicked off the regulations in 2022 with a brave but ultimately doomed ‘zero-pods’ concept. And despite trying to rectify the inherent gremlins of its design philosophy, the team has been lagging behind the likes of Red Bull and now customer outfit McLaren in terms of out-and-out performance and consistency.
Wolff was quite candid in admitting that Mercedes has failed to crack the regulations, citing that the initial disadvantage has continued to plague the team.
“I think we never excelled at managing those regulations,” he told Formula.hu.
“From the beginning, and I think we started on quite a back foot. And then catching up to great competitors is very difficult.”
Wolff optimistic about 2025’s second half
Next season will see an extensive overhaul to the chassis and engine rules – an area that Mercedes has been tipped to ace due to its track record in the turbo-hybrid era.
Yet, Wolff is banking on the sparks of brilliance the team has shown in the past to ensure that it at least finishes this era of the sport on a high.
One of the biggest issues that the team has faced with the W16 is its temperature sensitivity and a very short operating window. This was exacerbated by a revised rear suspension upgrade fitted at Imola – a decision that was reversed in Hungary, leading to George Russell securing his sixth podium finish of the campaign.
“But I will also be looking back at many highlights,” Wolff continued.
“You know how we literally killed it last year in Silverstone, last victory for Lewis [Hamilton] at the British Grand Prix. Dominant in Spa, absolutely dominant in Las Vegas.
“They were great highlights – and this year in Montreal. We had, at times, a winning car.
“And now for the second part of this year, we need to come back to have a winning car.”
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