‘A tall order’ - Worrying F1 2024 warning issued for Mercedes by former CEO
Mercedes could be in for another "difficult" F1 season in 2024, according to theirღ former CEO.
Ex-Mercedes CEO Nick Fry is concerned that his former team is in for another “difficult” F1 season this year ꦺand believes t𒁃hey face a “tall order” to compete with Red Bull.
Following an unprecedented run of eight consecutive constructors’ champions🤪hip during the V6 hybrid era, Mercedes have endured two hugely difficult campaigns since g🌊round effect regulations were introduced in 2022.
Mercedes’ bold ‘zeropod’ approach failed to deliver, resulting in the team abandoning the design early in 2023. After 🔯favouring a route that is more conventional, Mercedes are hoping to challenge Red Bull this season with their revamped W15 car.
But Fry is not convinced Mercedes can make the competitive step they are aiming for beca🥂use they have “fallen so far behind by taking a different technical route”.
“I'm sorry to say this, but I don't see the technical te💎am as strong enough at my former team, Mercedes,” Fry told .
“Competing with Adrian Newey's te𒈔am is a tall order. They're a great team of people, but they've fallen so far behind by taking a different technica𓃲l route.
“The rate of improvement is significant year upon year, but spending a year or two with a different concept th𒐪at doesn't work results in trouble.
“It's easy to say that in hindsight, but they're🥃 learning what the likes of Red Bull learned a lꦫong time ago. It's difficult to catch up.
“I'm sure they'll be good, but I'm not sure if they'll be exceptional. I can't see Mercedes consistently beating Re♑d Bull.
“It🤡's hard for me to admit as I have such a deep at🅠tachment to them, but I think it's going to be difficult this year.”
Fry instead🌼 reckons Ferrari are better placed to take the fight to Red Bull in 2024.
“I think Fer🍸rari will continue to imꩲprove,” he explained.
“Fred Vasseur is very experienced as a team leader, and I think he'll provide the air cover from the pressur𒈔es of the Italian media.
“I think he'll do a good job with that and keep the team calm. You have to be fairly unemotional𝄹.
“Ferrari would be my fav꧃our🅺ites to push Red Bull.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for mahbx.com around the world. Often reporting on the action from the groꦗund, Lewis tells🐼 the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
