Mark Blundell: Former McLaren Driver Sends Message to Mercedes Amid Poor Form and Hamilton’s Exit
- Mercedes have continued their lacklustre start to the 2024 Formula 1 season
- The German team recently lost their marquee driver, Lewis Hamilton, to Ferrari
- A former McLaren driver has aired his thoughts on Mercedes amid their poor form
Mercedes AMG's lacklustre performance following the rule changes in 2022 has persisted into the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The Brackley-based team, entering the season with high hopes, has seen those hopes consistently dashed by the challenges faced by the W15 Silver Arrow car.
The team's struggles are compounded by the uncertainty surrounding their driver lineup for the 2025 season, following the announcement by their marquee driver, Lewis Hamilton, that he will be leaving Mercedes at the end of the current season.
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Amid these challenges, former Formula 1 driver, Mark Blundell, has cautioned that Mercedes could be losing their competitive edge due to their current difficulties.
Blundell speaks on Mercedes’ struggle
In an interview captured by Sports Brief, the former McLaren driver, when quizzed about what could become one of the most dominant teams of the last decade in Formula 1, commented:
"It's hard to say. We're a few races into the 2024 season, and it's not Lewis Hamilton leading the charge at Mercedes-Benz; it's George Russell. However, I'm not convinced this will be significant by the season's end. Right now, Mercedes needs to deliver a car that can win, and they haven't done that yet.
The key factor lies in whether they can improve their design and concept. If they can produce a winning car, then they have two drivers capable of winning races. The driver is the final piece of the puzzle, and I don't think Mercedes will make any changes until they have a competitive car."
Blundell's sentiments seem to echo those of Max Verstappen, who recently dismissed rumours linking him to Mercedes. Verstappen emphasised the importance of having a competitive car over financial incentives and large salaries.
The German team saw their upgrades at the Miami Grand Prix leave them with little to be impressed with, and they will look to the next race in Imola as a chance to get their season back on track.
Key takeaways from the Miami Grand Prix
In another report, Sports Brief highlighted the key takeaways from the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.
The South Florida race saw Lando Norris claim his first victory, finishing ahead of Verstappen.
Source: Legit.ng
