P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ex-Formula 1 race winner Johnny Herbert has warned that Mercedes could face a “downward spiral” unless it makes notable progress
Since the switch to V6 turbo-hybrid engines in 2014, Mercedes dominated Formula 1 with eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships. However, their performance suffered when ground effect cars returned in 2022, resulting in their first winless season since 2011. Mercedes made significant changes to their W15 challenger, aiming to regain competitive edge, but faced tough competition from Ferrari and McLaren throughout the development race. 2024 is seen as a critical season for Mercedes by experts like Herbert, warning that failure to improve could lead to a downward spiral. Lewis Hamilton raised concerns over car design, particularly the seating position, but Mercedes made adjustments based on his feedback to improve the driving experience. Pre-season testing showed promising signs, with both drivers expressing satisfaction with the new car’s performance compared to its predecessor.
