P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff asserts that its 2024 Formula 1 challenger should be ranked as the “best of the bad”
Mercedes has been a dominant force in Formula 1, securing 111 victories and eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021. However, their success has waned in the ground-effect aero era, with only one win in the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The root cause of Mercedes’ current struggles can be traced back to the ‘zeropod’ solution that failed to meet expectations. Despite efforts to overhaul their approach with the W15, Mercedes is currently in fourth place, facing its worst season start since 2011.
Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledges the challenges they are facing, admitting there is a fundamental problem with the correlation between wind tunnel data and performance on track. While they have made changes to various components, the core issue remains unresolved.
Wolff remains optimistic about Mercedes’ long-term prospects, aiming to return to championship contention despite the current setbacks. He emphasizes the need for patience and continuous hard work to overcome their current difficulties and regain competitiveness in Formula 1.
