P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes is enduring its worst start to a Formula 1 season since its third season back in F1, in 2012.
Mercedes is off to a challenging start in the F1 season, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell only scoring 64 points in the first six races – the poorest start in over a decade. This slow start has not been seen since 2012 for the Brackley team, well before the introduction of current rules including fastest lap points and sprint weekends. Compared to 2012, there are 36 fewer points available in 2024 due to changes in the scoring system and race format. Struggling with new ground-effects in F1, Mercedes, once dominant, has only managed one victory since the new regulations in 2022. This decline is reminiscent of the team’s performance between 2010 and 2013 and could result in its worst season start since 2011 if Hamilton and Russell don’t secure at least six points in the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
