The first double failure since Austria 2018 on Sunday in Melbourne was another low point. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton retired early in the third race of the season after an engine failure, and George Russell was unable to finish the Grand Prix due to an accident shortly before the end. “It’s a very, very hard time at the moment,” admitted Wolff.
Apart from the problems in Albert Park, there are also other concerns: Mercedes cannot get the unstable rear of the car under control, which costs time in the fast corners. Drivers also still complain about “bouncing,” which is an aerodynamic phenomenon where the car essentially jumps over the asphalt. At times the Mercedes W15 shows its speed potential, then it just blows away again. Wolff would also like to know why.
IMAGO/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire The new car is causing a lot of headaches for the Mercedes crew
So far unsuccessful troubleshooting
“We don’t understand some of the car’s behavior that we would have always understood in the past,” said the Viennese about the apparently unpredictable Mercedes. The confidence after the winter tests has long since disappeared. “I would be the first to say: If someone has a better idea, they should tell me,” said Wolff. “I’m interested in getting this team back on track as quickly as possible.”
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World Cup standings and calendar
“I would be lying if I said I was always positive and optimistic about the situation. But you just have to overcome the negative thoughts and say to yourself that we will shoot it,” explained Wolff after the frustrating weekend. However, it feels “very brutal”.
“On the one hand, I want to punch myself in the nose. But on the other hand, it is also proof that if you tackle things correctly, you can turn things around quickly,” Wolff continues confidently. “You just have to keep believing in it.” Currently, however, Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren are ahead of the Silver Arrows in the constructors’ championship.
Where is Hamilton?
It remains to be seen whether Hamilton still has faith in the team in his last year with Mercedes. The Englishman, who will drive for Ferrari from 2025, had defended the new car before his retirement. The W15 is “definitely not the bad sister” of its predecessor. “We have a great car that has a lot of potential. We just haven’t maximized it through the set-up at the moment.”
After the debacle at the Albert Park Circuit, Hamilton had to admit: “This is the worst start to the season I have ever experienced.” Hamilton only has eight points to his name after three races. “Of course I would like to fight for wins and actually finish races. “It’s never a great feeling when you come here and don’t even see half of the race,” he said. “But we will recover.”
