Mercedes used to win a lot in Formula 1. From 2014 to 2020, they won both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles every year. But when the rules changed in 2022, they struggled to keep up. Even after changing their car for 2024, they’re still not doing well. George Russell, one of their drivers, said after the Miami Grand Prix that Mercedes is currently the fourth fastest team.
Paddy Lowe, who worked at Mercedes from 2013 to 2017, thinks Mercedes made mistakes in understanding the new rules, especially with aerodynamics. He says it will take a long time for Mercedes to fix these mistakes.
Lowe explained, “The tools we use, like wind tunnels and computer simulations, are really advanced but not perfect. Sometimes, you go down the wrong path, and it’s hard to recover. That’s what happened with Mercedes.”
He continued, “When you’re behind, it’s tough to catch up. Your competitors keep improving while you’re trying to fix your mistakes. Mercedes is in this situation now.”
Lowe isn’t sure if Mercedes will recover. He said, “It could get worse. This is how Formula 1 works. Teams rise and fall. I think Mercedes will have a chance with the new rules in 2026. But for now, it’s hard for them to make big improvements.”
He added, “Today’s Formula 1 is about making small improvements. It’s hard to make big changes. But in 2026, there will be new rules, and that might help Mercedes.”
