Once again, in 2024, the Mercedes team delivers a season below expectations. After dominating almost all the early years of the hybrid era, the regulatory changes of 2022 seem to have left them struggling to find their way out of the tunnel. Let’s analyze the key moments of the year that just ended.
Start of 2024: Mercedes’ Struggles
The first part of the season begins on a very low note. After managing to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship at Ferrari’s expense in 2023, podiums were slow to arrive. The first encouraging result came only at the Canadian Grand Prix. The lowest point of the 2024 Formula 1 season, and perhaps of the entire year, occurred in Australia: both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell retired.
The seven-time world champion had to bow out after just a few laps due to a Power Unit issue. Meanwhile, George Russell, who had been running solidly in the top 10 throughout the race, was involved in a terrifying crash on the penultimate lap. Across the nine races held, fifth place was their best result.
Second Part of the Season: A Summer Revival
Throughout the summer period, ending with the start of the summer break, Mercedes began challenging the leading teams and often finished ahead of them. The first signs of improvement came in Canada and Spain, with both drivers achieving third-place finishes. The turning point, however, began in Austria: George Russell, capitalizing on a collision between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, secured the first Grand Prix victory of 2024.
The wins didn’t stop there. At the following race in Silverstone, after a three-year drought, Lewis Hamilton returned to the top step of the podium. Notably, Hamilton also secured a podium in Hungary, showcasing sensational defensive driving against the Red Bull of the reigning champion.
Another standout performance came at Spa: the two Mercedes drivers crossed the finish line in first and second positions. Unfortunately, a subsequent disqualification for Russell stripped the team of their full haul.
Third Part of the Season: Struggles Resurface?
From Zandvoort to Abu Dhabi, except for two occasions, performances returned to those seen earlier in the year. Third place in Baku and a double podium in Las Vegas stood out. On the Nevada circuit, the unexpected happened: George Russell dominated from start to finish, while Lewis Hamilton climbed through the field to secure second place.
With these underwhelming performances, the Mercedes team finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship with 468 points. They often found themselves in no man’s land: far behind the top three but with a significant gap to the closest pursuers.
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