Since the implementation of F1′s ground effect rules in 2022, Mercedes had only managed to secure one race win. With the introduction of the new W15 car this season, Mercedes aimed to revitalize their chances of consistently competing for victory.
Toto Wolff faces criticism as Mercedes W15 fails to meet expectations.
However, the team has not achieved a podium finish in the first three races of the new season. Mercedes failed to score a single point in a race for the first time since June 2021 at the recent Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The disappointing performance of the W15 follows statements made by Allison during the winter, where he indicated that Mercedes aimed to contend for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships. Allison described their plans as “pretty ambitious” with the 2024 car, suggesting they aimed to be competitive.
The ongoing struggles of Mercedes have sparked doubts about whether Wolff, who holds a one-third stake in the team, is the appropriate person to reverse the situation. Despite guiding the Brackley-based team to an unprecedented eight consecutive Constructors’ titles from 2014, concerns have emerged regarding his ability to address the current challenges.
Allison’s position has also faced scrutiny, particularly since he resumed the role of technical director in 2023 following a job swap with Mike Elliott, who departed Mercedes in October of last year.
Nevertheless, Chandhok has defended both Wolff and Allison, arguing that it would be unjust to hold them solely accountable for the ongoing challenges faced by the team.
He suggests that Mercedes might find a solution by recruiting talent from Red Bull, aiming to narrow the gap to the reigning champions.
Chandhok stated, “Blaming a single individual within a team isn’t fair. Toto and James hold ultimate leadership positions, carrying greater responsibility for overall performance, but they aren’t solely responsible for designing or scrutinizing the car’s details.
Dismissing Toto or James isn’t the solution to fixing the problem.”
“They need to analyze what Red Bull has done correctly and how they’ve achieved exceptional performance in this car era. If that entails recruiting individuals from Red Bull, that could be a solution. This is where Toto and James play a crucial role. It’s crucial to ensure they are attracting the right talent to the team.”