2024 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[AR3-GP]

Here is the damage to the endplate of Lewis Hamilton's front wing, which unbalanced a very sensitive car like the W15, in the first 'hot' stint at Suzuka
more than delicate, better to say sensitive. To external factors (wind, temperatures, etc.) and internal ones (setup), which make the W15 truly unpredictable.

Interesting. Without the significant damage, experimental setup, high track temperature, and bad strategy, I bet Hamilton could have fought for 2nd. If they could make use of the additional 70pts of downforce, they could have even troubled Verstappen.

[Seanspeed]

Dont forget the compromised cooling setup, which definitely cost them at least half a second a lap. I also heard there might be some voodoo curse on the rear wing causing it to perform poorly when DRS is open.

[ringo]

Pardon me for saying this, but how do we know that this is indeed true and not yet another gaslighting comment from Toto ? I even doubt whether the 'cooling' excuse from a less-hot-than-normal Bahrain GP was even true. I know it's cruel, but I wont believe anything that's coming from Mercedes to the media and the only thing I will believe are the laptimes.

They are doing experiments
What I don't understand is why is lewis doing them and not their team leader 63

Hamilton on Friday.

“It was the best session that we've had this year, and it's the best the car has felt this year so far. So, so far really positive.

“We just seem to have hit the ground a bit more in a sweeter spot. I haven't really made any changes since.”

“I think we have got a better platform or baseline to start from,” he said. “So as long as we don't make too many changes and mess it up, I think probably just stay where we are.”

Then post-race we are treated to tales of "experiments", the same tale we've been told for years now. Excuses excuses excuses, seems to be about all this team has to offer nowadays. Toto goes along with it because he's a manager of people, and by offering up an excuse for a driver it helps to take the public pressure and scrutiny off of a poor performance.

Most of what you say here is speculation and conspiracy. Forum readers are better off sticking to facts of what is reported than the narrative you are trying to push despite mounds of evidence against what you are claiming.

[Cs98]

They are doing experiments
What I don't understand is why is lewis doing them and not their team leader 63

Hamilton on Friday.

“It was the best session that we've had this year, and it's the best the car has felt this year so far. So, so far really positive.

“We just seem to have hit the ground a bit more in a sweeter spot. I haven't really made any changes since.”

“I think we have got a better platform or baseline to start from,” he said. “So as long as we don't make too many changes and mess it up, I think probably just stay where we are.”

Then post-race we are treated to tales of "experiments", the same tale we've been told for years now. Excuses excuses excuses, seems to be about all this team has to offer nowadays. Toto goes along with it because he's a manager of people, and by offering up an excuse for a driver it helps to take the public pressure and scrutiny off of a poor performance.

Most of what you say here is speculation and conspiracy. Forum readers are better off sticking to facts of what is reported than the narrative you are trying to push despite mounds of evidence against what you are claiming.

You got the quotes right there. Sure doesn't sound like some elaborate experimentation, actually sounds like the complete opposite. But buy the excuse if you want it, it's no good in the long run.

[CHT]

With LH leaving the team, Merc will have more time in 2025 season to focus on 2026 instead of being pressured to deliver LH's 8th WDC. I do think that Merc will end up signing Vettel for 2025 instead of going for F2 rookies because 2025 will be a crucial year for development and the team and engineers need accurate feedback on the car instead of just driving fast.

[PlatinumZealot]

Vettel will be a downgrade going by his last form, but it's not a bad downgrade at all.

Anyway.. People please join us at Mercedes. We are searching for a graduate aerodynamicist!

Apply here:

https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/careers/v ... REQ-240137

[chrisc90]

Anyway.. People please join us at Mercedes. We are searching for a graduate aerodynamicist!

Apply here:

https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/careers/v ... REQ-240137

The role:

You will work collaboratively as part of a small team, applying your thoughtful and innovative nature to a range of stimulating challenges. Initially these will be in our Applied Science Fluids Group, working on customer projects, but later there could be opportunities around the Team, on a variety of projects.


Not actually a team job designing the car, but advertised via the team.

But, I guess most the teams do this to circumvent the budget cap

[214270]

With LH leaving the team, Merc will have more time in 2025 season to focus on 2026 instead of being pressured to deliver LH's 8th WDC. I do think that Merc will end up signing Vettel for 2025 instead of going for F2 rookies because 2025 will be a crucial year for development and the team and engineers need accurate feedback on the car instead of just driving fast.

BOT would be far better. Cheap, available, used to small interval contracts, a clear stop gap, familiar, technically competent (will be able to carry forward the work HAM is currently doing) & accustomed to playing the dutiful No2. That sends the right msg; a msg of introspection & hard work necessary to overcome the current probs; instead of whoring yourself out like Wolff is doing constantly associating with top talent when their name gets mentioned.

[F1Krof]

https://x.com/Scuderiascoop/status/1778710444472938926

Is this really happening?

[ringo]

Sainz is their best choice.
I do not think he has much more options.
He and Russel are a good combination to have and he will bring a lot if experience from Ferrari.
Sainz also in his prime.
He wont get a redbull or Aston seat that's for sure. And he has been at Mclaren already. No space there for him eirher. Best he goes to Mercedes.

[SiLo]

Sainz is their best choice.
I do not think he has much more options.
He and Russel are a good combination to have and he will bring a lot if experience from Ferrari.
Sainz also in his prime.
He wont get a redbull or Aston seat that's for sure. And he has been at Mclaren already. No space there for him eirher. Best he goes to Mercedes.

Amazed I haven't seen more on this. Sainz is the best driver on the grid that's easily attainable, doesn't force Antonelli into the seat too soon and also isn't a gamble.

[InsaneX_Badger]

Sainz is their best choice.
I do not think he has much more options.
He and Russel are a good combination to have and he will bring a lot if experience from Ferrari.
Sainz also in his prime.
He wont get a redbull or Aston seat that's for sure. And he has been at Mclaren already. No space there for him eirher. Best he goes to Mercedes.

Amazed I haven't seen more on this. Sainz is the best driver on the grid that's easily attainable, doesn't force Antonelli into the seat too soon and also isn't a gamble.

Tbh I think the main reason why most people haven't mentioned Sainz is that at the current moment why would Sainz pick mercedes at all.

[j_ste]

Sainz is their best choice.
I do not think he has much more options.
He and Russel are a good combination to have and he will bring a lot if experience from Ferrari.
Sainz also in his prime.
He wont get a redbull or Aston seat that's for sure. And he has been at Mclaren already. No space there for him eirher. Best he goes to Mercedes.

Amazed I haven't seen more on this. Sainz is the best driver on the grid that's easily attainable, doesn't force Antonelli into the seat too soon and also isn't a gamble.

Tbh I think the main reason why most people haven't mentioned Sainz is that at the current moment why would Sainz pick mercedes at all.

Because unless Red Bull offer him...everywhere else is worse than Mercedes. I guess he could sit a year out...but why

[Luscion]

Amazed I haven't seen more on this. Sainz is the best driver on the grid that's easily attainable, doesn't force Antonelli into the seat too soon and also isn't a gamble.

Tbh I think the main reason why most people haven't mentioned Sainz is that at the current moment why would Sainz pick mercedes at all.

Because unless Red Bull offer him...everywhere else is worse than Mercedes. I guess he could sit a year out...but why

Exactly, despite how bad their start to the season is this year theres no other top team available, Perez is driving well so far so he's probably safe and he's not getting a Mclaren or AM seat. like you said, every other option other than Merc is worse

[Cs98]

Tbh they should just offer him a 2+1 and if Antonelli is as good as advertised you opt out of the option after the second year. The second Williams seat is ready for a young talent to take, 2 years there is perfect. Antonelli hasn't been overly impressive in F2 so far so I think he needs a couple of years. And for Merc it would arguably be just as good a line-up the way Sainz is performing.