Mercedes F1 “underperformed” in 2024 and “shouldn’t be proud” to see McLaren F1 win with its engine this season, according to former Haas team principal Gunther Steiner.
A tackle to Toto Wolff, who was delighted in Abu Dhabi to see McLaren F1 win the constructors’ title with its engine, a customer engine therefore.
The Silver Arrows had another disappointing campaign, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell both struggling to tame the W15, still unpredictable and inconsistent like its predecessors.
Mercedes had several highlights, however, taking a total of four race victories, but spent much of the year as the fourth fastest team and ultimately finished a distant fourth in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren , Ferrari and Red Bull.
"I think Mercedes underperformed," said Steiner, still a consultant in the paddocks for various television channels.
“Obviously, because McLaren, with the same engine, did better. And I think Mercedes would admit that.”
“It’s been a long time since someone with a customer engine won the world championship, but they just did a good job. And I think the regulations helped, being stable for so long, because you know your engine package every year, and the engine being frozen helps a lot with the development of the rest of the car.”
“You always tailor your car for next year based on what you have, and if you know what you have well in advance, that helps.”
“So I think there are a few things that have helped them, but it’s still not easy to do if you’re not the engine manufacturer that produced the power unit.”
“McLaren can therefore be proud of its result and Mercedes should not be proud of what it has done.”
Related News :