Mercedes has been cautioned about the necessity to cultivate an appealing team environment to attract a suitable replacement for Lewis Hamilton, following a disappointing F1 Australian Grand Prix.
Both Hamilton and George Russell faced setbacks during the race, failing to complete it successfully. This unfortunate turn of events adds to the series of challenges Mercedes has encountered since the beginning of the season.
Hamilton’s early retirement due to an engine issue left him frustrated, while Russell’s crash on the final lap further compounded the team’s woes.
Looking beyond the immediate race, Mercedes finds itself during a crucial transition phase. With Hamilton set to depart for Ferrari in 2025, the team is actively scouting for his successor.
However, in addition to finding a talented driver, Mercedes is also under scrutiny to demonstrate its allure as a desirable destination for top-tier racing talent.
“Tough times for Mercedes,” Naomi Schiff of Sky Sports responded.
“This is the third season in the era of new F1 cars and they haven’t quite got on top of it.
“Besides the fact that they had a mechanical issue, and George had an issue, they didn’t have the pace that they needed.
“The car is so unpredictable for the team to understand. Whether it’s one side of the garage or not, it still doesn’t have the pace that they need to challenge. It’s a tough one.
“Lewis is going to Ferrari and they need to be a team with appeal for whoever they might give that seat to in the future.
“At the moment, is Mercedes a team that drivers want to go to?
“They finished second in the championship last year but we need to see them moving forward to be an attractive proposition.
“At the moment, it doesn’t seem that they have the situation under control.”
It’s an ironic twist of fate that Carlos Sainz, the victor of the F1 Australian Grand Prix, finds himself without a job next year as Hamilton steps in to replace him at Ferrari.
With Sainz now available in the market, Toto Wolff may consider him for a potential role at Mercedes.
Another notable contender is Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, while Esteban Ocon from Alpine has been suggested as a temporary solution.
Mercedes’ teenage junior driver in Formula 2, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, also remains on the radar as a potential option.
However, before Wolff can make any significant decisions, Mercedes understands the urgency of addressing their disappointing performance in Australia. Rectifying the issues from that weekend is imperative to ensure Hamilton’s final season with the team stays on track.
