Between 2014 and 2021, Mercedes enjoyed a record-breaking 8-year dominance over the constructors’ championship and a 7-year dominance over the drivers’ championship between the 2014 to 2020 seasons. However, with the conclusion of the 2021 season, one thing seemed evident: Mercedes’ unbreakable wall on the front row had been penetrated by the likes of Red Bull and Max Verstappen.
Come 2022, Mercedes along with their fresh recruit George Russel were no longer able to take the fight to Red Bull and found themselves lagging. Nevertheless, Formula 1 prodigy Russel was consistently placing Mercedes in the top 5 for the majority of the season, even earning himself the nickname ‘Mr. Consistency!’
But amidst all the paddock talk and gossip regarding Mercedes’ downfall, the German team led by Wolff never seemed to falter in the faith they had in themselves as well as their drivers: an attitude that is prevalent at the Mercedes garage even today.
Mercedes boss backs Russell for F1 glory
The team’s Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin at last month’s Hungarian Grand Prix reinstated his and Mercedes’ faith in the young talent of George Russel currently piloting the W14.
Becoming a full-time driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 in 2022, the young Brit has since brought 9 podiums for the team as well as the first race win of his career at the 2022 Brazil GP. Despite him having less success in the current season trailing his teammate Lewis Hamilton by 49 points, Shovlin and Mercedes have been vocal about their support and faith in Russel.
“He’s a hugely professional driver who’s working very, very hard,” says Shovlin. “And he’s one of those that you’d say no doubt he’ll win a championship at some point, providing we can give him a car that’s fit for that job.”
However, on the other side of the Mercedes garage, drama and controversy seems to be brewing surrounding aspects of Lewis’ contract at Mercedes.
Hamilton and Mercedes face contract deadlock
While Hamilton has hinted to the media at the possibility of entering into a multi-year deal with Mercedes, no substantial steps seem to have been taken regarding the issue. looking back at history, delays in signing contracts between Lewis and Mercedes are not uncommon.
After the controversy of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, Lewis went AWOL for a few weeks with no news on the possibility of a contract extension until it was announced that Lewis was re-joining Mercedes with a contract extension, just before pre-season testing!
However, there is wild speculation as to why the deal has been delayed this much. Sources have suggested that Hamilton’s request for a 10-year ambassadorship role valued at $25m a year has been one of the reasons for the delay, with Toto denying this request.
There is also speculation that Hamilton’s ever-so-successful career has finally come to a close, and other rumors suggest talks between Ferrari and Lewis. Though all of these have been denied by Ferrari and the Mercedes’ star driver.
Would you like to see Hamilton renew his contract so that he can try to take the fight to Red Bull along with George in 2024? Or do you think his career has finally finished? Comment what you think down below!
Insightful!