© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
By Carol M. Creasey
After reigning supreme as constructors’ champions for eight consecutive years, it’s been a painful journey for Mercedes and Sir Lewis Hamilton since 2022 to try and produce a car that is capable of fighting at the front.
It has been suggested that the big 2022 regulations change was designed to stop Mercedes’ dominance, but if this is true, then all that has happened is Red Bull have become the dominant car, but far more dominant than Mercedes ever were. As fans we have been led to believe that the rules were changed to make racing closer, but so far the exact opposite seems to have happened.
When Mercedes debuted their 2023 car at the Bahrain test, they were horrified to discover that instead of making progress, they have in fact gone backwards and were now only the fourth fastest car on the grid, behind Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin – to whom they supply engines.
In spite of these difficulties, Lewis Hamilton managed to come fifth at the Bahrain Grand Prix, and George Russell seventh, although as a previously winning team, that is not where they want to be. Of course the pundits, press and trolls went into hyperdrive, speculating that if Lewis wanted his eighth championship he would have to leave Mercedes. Obviously, the team is currently struggling, so Toto Wolff said he would not hold such a move against Lewis if they are not able to provide him with a competitive car in the “next couple of years”.
This caused a lot of dissension amongst fans on social media, who try to stay loyal to Mercedes, as it’s been suggested by some observers that Lewis should go to Ferrari or even Red Bull. However, Lewis said on numerous occasions that he looks upon Mercedes as his family, and would not want to leave them.
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Then we learned before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that Lewis and Angela Cullen had parted company. Of course people who have little going on in their own lives hastened to suggest that she got out because they had stopped winning, and other various made up tales. To the disappointment of the haters, both Lewis and Angela have posted messages of support to one another, and he has stated that they still keep in regular contact.
As for the race weekend itself, Russell qualified in P3, and came in fourth, while Lewis, who has stated quite honestly that he cannot connect with the car, only qualified in P7, but managed to get himself up to fifth in the race. However, Mercedes want to be a winning team again, and after the race Toto has announced they are already working in a different direction, and the results in the wind tunnel have been very encouraging – he feels they have actually taken two steps forward, and remains cautiously optimistic.
As a supporter of Mercedes I do believe this, and I am appalled to read so many derisory and insulting comments from so called fans. This remarkable team, who have the driver who has had the most success of anyone, do not deserve such a lack of respect. These sort of people take the joy out of watching racing. Do they not appreciate how hard it is to stay on top? Apparently not.
It is a known fact that Red bull exceeded their budget in 2021, and they now have a rocket ship, but that is something Mercedes will never do – they have a reputation to uphold. Good luck Mercedes, and keep at it, I’m sure patience will pay off in the end!
Be sure to follow Carol on Twitter @eagertogo and visit her website www.carolmcreasey.com!
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