Source – Formula1.com
As if the announcement that Lewis Hamilton would be switching from his Silver Arrows overalls to red ones in 2025 wasn’t a crushing blow to Mercedes at the start of the season, their W15 rival appeared to be an even more formidable foe. But today, having won three of the last four races prior to the summer break, Mercedes is probably the form team. This is their half-term report for 2024.
As the 2024 Formula 1 season roars into its second half, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team finds itself riding a wave of resurgence that few could have predicted after their dismal start to the year. The Brackley-based squad, once the unchallenged kings of the hybrid era, had endured a painful slump, but recent performances have reignited hopes that they could once again be a force to be reckoned with. With victories in three of the last four races, including standout performances from both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the Silver Arrows are proving that they are not just back in the fight, but are capable of winning it.
Mercedes’ 2024 campaign began under a cloud of uncertainty. The team had struggled to find the right balance under the new ground effect regulations introduced in 2022, and while they had shown glimpses of their old brilliance, consistency was elusive. The W14, though improved, was not the game-changer they had hoped for. But the W15, their latest challenger, is finally beginning to show its true potential. It has taken time, but the upgrades brought to the car have transformed it from an unpredictable machine into a race-winning contender.
Mark Hughes, F1.com’s technical contributor, has noted that Mercedes seems to have “unlocked the secrets of the ground effect regulations” with the W15. This is no small feat, as these regulations have posed significant challenges to teams up and down the grid. Mercedes, with their wealth of experience and technical expertise, may have been slower to adapt than some expected, but now they are reaping the rewards of their persistence.
One of the most telling signs of Mercedes’ return to form came at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, where George Russell secured a stunning pole position. This performance was the first concrete evidence that the team’s development pathway was on the right track. Mercedes Technical Director James Allison candidly admitted after the race that the team should have seen the solutions sooner. Speaking on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, Allison reflected on the breakthrough, calling it an “oh God, how could we have been so dumb?!” moment. The team, once synonymous with innovation and dominance, had found themselves in unfamiliar territory, grappling with a car that refused to comply. But now, it seems they have turned a corner.
Russell’s pole in Canada was followed by an equally impressive performance at Silverstone, where he again demonstrated his prowess over a single lap. These qualifying successes have sparked conversation, particularly given that Russell has outqualified his illustrious teammate Hamilton on ten occasions so far this season. While Hamilton remains the more experienced and successful driver, Russell’s ability to extract performance from the car over one lap has been one of the highlights of Mercedes’ season.
However, while qualifying is important, it’s race day that truly matters, and here too Mercedes has made significant strides. Russell’s victory in Austria, though aided by a late-race collision between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, was a critical boost to his confidence and to the team’s morale. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that Mercedes could still compete at the sharp end of the grid.
But the true test of Mercedes’ progress came at Silverstone and Spa, where Hamilton delivered two victories that were as much about strategy and racecraft as they were about outright speed. The win at Silverstone was particularly poignant, marking Hamilton’s record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix victory. It also ended a 945-day wait for him to return to the top step of the podium. The emotional significance of this win was not lost on anyone, least of all Team Principal Toto Wolff, who described it as a “little fairytale” and a perfect script for what might be Hamilton’s last race at Silverstone with Mercedes.
Hamilton’s performance this year has been a testament to his enduring talent and his ability to extract every ounce of performance from the car, even when it has been far from perfect. He may not have the raw pace in qualifying that Russell has shown, but in the races, his experience and racecraft have made the difference. Hamilton currently leads Russell in the drivers’ standings, with 150 points to Russell’s 116, and has scored four podiums compared to his teammate’s two.
Yet, the 2024 season has not been without its challenges for Mercedes. The Australian Grand Prix was a low point, with both cars failing to finish the race. Hamilton’s early retirement due to a mechanical issue and Russell’s late crash as he chased down Fernando Alonso were bitter pills to swallow. Wolff, never one to shy away from the harsh realities of F1, admitted that the race left him wanting to “punch himself on the nose” after what he described as a “brutal” day. It was a stark reminder of just how difficult the journey back to the top would be for Mercedes.
But if there is one thing that Mercedes has proven time and again, it is their resilience. The team’s ability to bounce back from adversity is one of the reasons they have been so successful in the hybrid era. The Australian Grand Prix may have been a nadir, but it also served as a catalyst for change. Since then, the team has made significant improvements, culminating in their recent successes.
Looking ahead, Mercedes faces two critical tasks if they are to maintain their upward trajectory. The first is to continue developing the W15. While the car has shown promise, particularly in recent races, there is no room for complacency in Formula 1. The competition, particularly from McLaren and Ferrari, remains fierce, and Mercedes cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They currently sit fourth in the constructors’ standings, with Ferrari 79 points ahead and McLaren 100 points ahead. Catching Ferrari and securing third place must be the immediate goal, but with a strong second half of the season, they could even challenge for second.
The second challenge facing Mercedes is securing a suitable replacement for Hamilton, who is set to depart for Ferrari at the end of the season. The name on everyone’s lips is Kimi Antonelli, the 17-year-old F2 prospect who has been making waves in the junior categories. Antonelli has already had a taste of F1 machinery, having tested Mercedes’ 2021 and 2022 cars, and the team has high hopes for the young Italian. However, the question remains: is it too much too soon? Replacing a driver of Hamilton’s caliber is no small task, and while Antonelli has shown immense potential, the pressure of stepping into the shoes of one of the all-time greats could be overwhelming.
Mercedes must carefully consider whether 2025 is the right time to throw Antonelli into the deep end. If 2024 has taught the team anything, it is that having two drivers who can consistently score points is crucial to winning the constructors’ championship. The decision on who will partner Russell next season could determine whether Mercedes can return to their dominant best or whether they will continue to play catch-up to their rivals.
As the 2024 season progresses, Mercedes finds itself at a crossroads. The recent victories have shown that the team is still capable of greatness, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The W15 must continue to evolve, and the right driver lineup must be secured to ensure that the team remains competitive in 2025 and beyond. But if there is one team that has proven time and again that they can rise to the occasion, it is Mercedes. With the right strategy, the right car, and the right drivers, the Silver Arrows could yet return to the summit of Formula 1.
