After a tumultuous 2024 Formula 1 season, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has identified a rare bright spot that could prove decisive for the team's future. Despite a disappointing fourth place in the Manufacturers' Championship, Wolff believes Mercedes can use their extra time in the wind tunnel and CFD development to bounce back, especially with important 2026 regulations looming on the horizon. .
From Dominance to Struggle
Mercedes, once the juggernaut of Formula 1 with an unprecedented run of success from 2014 to 2020, has found itself on the defensive since the start of the ground effects era in 2022. The 2024 campaign marked another difficult year for the Silver Arrows, finishing behind McLaren, Ferrari and the new Constructors' champions, Red Bull.
However, Wolff remains optimistic about where the team stands moving forward, noting a distinct advantage the team will have during the 2025 development cycle.
Take Advantage of Development Time
In Formula 1, the Manufacturers' Championship ranking directly influences the wind tunnel and CFD time that teams receive for car development. As fourth, Mercedes gets significantly greater resources in this area compared to McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull. Wolff highlighted this as a key positive:
“I see the benefits. The P4 gives us more aerodynamic time for next year, especially with the new regulations for 2026. We have around 20% more wind tunnel runs in CFD than Manufacturer champions McLaren. That’s the positive.”
With seismic regulatory changes coming to Formula 1 in 2026, this extra development time could be the foundation Mercedes needs to regain its dominance.
The Big Picture: Winning is What Matters Most
While recognizing the practical benefits of finishing lower in the standings, Wolff maintained that Mercedes' ultimate goal is to win. Anything short of a Manufacturers' Championship is, in his opinion, unimportant in the grand scheme:
“At the end of the day, it’s about winning the Manufacturers’ Championship. Then you really don’t care if it’s P2, P3 from a purely sporting standpoint—obviously it makes a difference to our employees.”
The Austrian team principal stressed that the morale and motivation of the workforce at Brackley remains a crucial aspect of any season, even in difficult times.
The Road to Follow
Looking towards 2025, Mercedes faces a monumental task. With McLaren and Ferrari establishing themselves as strong competitors and Red Bull maintaining its performance advantage, the battle for supremacy will be fiercer than ever.
The team's efforts during the winter break will be critical. Armed with more development time and the lessons of recent years, Mercedes will hope to hit the ground running when the season opens. Whether the Silver Arrows can finally turn their fortunes around remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Toto Wolff is playing for the long term.
