How Mercedes changed Hamilton and...

How Mercedes changed Hamilton and.. season: ‘That sets us… Read More.

The 2024 Formula 1 season has seen a remarkable turnaround for Mercedes, who have made significant improvements after a rough start.

Initially, the team was far from podium contention, but a series of updates introduced at the Canadian Grand Prix marked the beginning of their resurgence.

Now, as they enter the summer break, Mercedes has secured three Grand Prix victories in the last four races. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have shed light on how the team achieved this impressive comeback.

Mercedes faced substantial challenges in 2024, struggling since the regulation changes in 2022. Having been the dominant team from 2014, Mercedes saw their performance plummet with only one race win in 2022 and none in 2023.

This poor performance persisted at the start of the 2024 season, with neither Hamilton nor Russell making it to the podium in the first eight races.

The turning point came at the ninth race in Montreal, where updates at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve dramatically improved their performance.

Russell managed to secure pole position, and while he didn’t win, he earned the team’s first podium finish of the season.

Hamilton followed with a podium at the Spanish Grand Prix. Success continued as Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix, and Hamilton claimed victories at Silverstone and Spa.

These achievements have put Mercedes in an excellent position going into the summer break.

Russell attributes their success to the unity and stability within the team.

Speaking at the Hungarian Grand Prix, he emphasized the importance of staying cohesive and credited team principal Toto Wolff for his steadfast belief in his team. “The biggest takeaway is we sort of stayed as one as a team.

Everybody stuck together and there have been no major changes within the organization of Mercedes, and you’ve got to give credit to Toto for believing in his people and just giving them a chance to do what they do best.

I think that’s something that sets this team apart from many others,” Russell said.

Hamilton echoed these sentiments, praising the team’s ability to transform the W15 from a subpar car into a competitive one.

He lauded their efforts in overcoming significant hurdles to return to the front of the grid.

“They’ve turned a not-so-good car into a good car. That’s a huge hurdle!” Hamilton remarked.

This turnaround is attributed to several factors, including the strategic updates made at crucial points in the season and the unwavering commitment of the team members.

The leadership of Toto Wolff has been particularly crucial, fostering an environment of trust and perseverance.

This stability has allowed the team to work effectively towards improving their performance without major organizational changes.

Mercedes’ resurgence in the 2024 Formula 1 season is a testament to their cohesive team effort, strategic updates, and effective leadership.

From struggling to reach the podium to achieving multiple wins before the summer break, their journey highlights the importance of unity and belief in their capabilities.

Both Hamilton and Russell’s insights underline the significance of maintaining a stable and motivated team, which has been pivotal in their dramatic turnaround this season.