Mercedes F1 Team Faces Questions After Testing and Driver Claims

Mercedes F1 had a difficult start to their testing for the new season. Their cars were much slower than other teams. Also, there were some untrue claims about sabotage against driver Lewis Hamilton.
By Newsroom | Formula 1, Bahrain |

The start of the Formula 1 season often brings intense speculation about team performance and hidden capabilities. This year, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team (Mercedes F1) is at the center of such discussions, with questions arising from their testing times and internal issues involving accusations against a driver.

Performance Gaps in Pre-Season Testing

During recent pre-season testing, Mercedes F1's lap times placed them significantly behind front-runners like Red Bull Racing. Data from the Bahrain testing indicates that Max Verstappen of Red Bull posted a time of +1.129 seconds on day one. In contrast, Mercedes drivers were several seconds slower. George Russell's lap times were reported as 2.765 seconds off Verstappen's pace, raising concerns about the car's one-lap performance.

  • Observed Lap Times: While Red Bull's Verstappen set a benchmark, Mercedes drivers like Russell were nearly three seconds slower.

  • Focus on Long Runs: Team representatives suggested Mercedes focused on long-run performance rather than outright speed during testing.

  • Car Driveability Issues: Persistent problems with car driveability have been a concern for Mercedes over the past two seasons, potentially limiting extracted performance.

Allegations of "Sandbagging" and Misleading Data

The significant time difference between Mercedes and top teams has fueled discussions about "sandbagging," a practice where teams deliberately underperform in testing to conceal their true speed.

Read More: New F1 Team Cadillac Starts Well, Aston Martin Has Problems

Merc ‘reality check’ despite sandbagging claims; new team quietly impresses: Talking Points - 1

  • Strategic Fuel Loads: Industry insiders explain that varying fuel loads during testing can produce misleading lap times, making it difficult to assess a team's genuine pace.

  • Questionable Testing Objectives: While teams might prioritize long runs, a substantial gap to the fastest cars invites questions about whether the true performance potential was deliberately withheld.

  • Comparison of Lap Counts: Mercedes' total laps in Bahrain were ahead of Alpine and Aston Martin but slightly behind Racing Bulls and Red Bull, suggesting a focus on accumulating data.

"Sandbagging is always a hot topic during F1 pre-season testing… Fuel load runs can deliver misrepresentative data - but what's the point?" - Crash.net

Internal Investigations Amidst Driver Allegations

Adding to the team's challenges, Mercedes F1 has reportedly initiated internal investigations into anonymous allegations of sabotage directed at driver Lewis Hamilton.

Read More: Aston Martin F1 Team Has Much Work to Do After Slow Start in Testing

  • Nature of Allegations: Anonymous emails, sent to Formula 1 insiders and media members, reportedly contained accusations of sabotage against Hamilton.

  • Team Principal's Response: Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, expressed frustration and concern, describing the anonymous sender as a "conspiracy theorist" and a "lunatic." He stated that the team was taking the matter seriously, including involving police and researching the origin of the communications.

  • Police Findings: Northamptonshire Police investigated a report concerning an email circulated within the Mercedes team but confirmed they found no criminal activity.

"When we are getting these kinds of emails, and we are getting tons of them, it is upsetting particularly when someone is talking about death and all these things." - Toto Wolff

Expert and Team Perspectives

The disparity in testing performance and the internal issues have drawn commentary from various figures within and around Formula 1.

Read More: Formula 1 Teams Test Cars for 2025 Season

  • Lewis Hamilton's Stance (2022 Context): In a previous season (March 2022), Hamilton had indicated that Mercedes might not be in a position to compete for wins, suggesting a more realistic outlook on the team's immediate potential. While this relates to a past season, it highlights recurring themes of performance expectations.

  • George Russell's Focus: Russell, when discussing testing, indicated that the team concentrated on long runs, implying a strategic approach to developing race pace rather than pure qualifying speed.

Conclusion

Mercedes F1 is navigating a complex period marked by significant performance gaps in pre-season testing and serious internal allegations. While the team maintains a focus on long-run development and has addressed the anonymous accusations, the observed times suggest a substantial challenge in matching the pace of competitors like Red Bull Racing. The investigation into sabotage claims, despite police finding no criminal activity, highlights internal tensions and the impact of misinformation. The upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether the team's testing approach was a strategic move or indicative of underlying performance issues.

Sources

Read More: F1 Driver Oscar Piastri Worries About New Car Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Was Mercedes F1 slow in testing?
Yes, their lap times were much slower than the fastest teams like Red Bull.
Q: Did Mercedes F1 focus on speed?
The team said they focused more on how the car works over long distances, not just fast laps.
Q: Were there claims of sabotage?
Yes, there were untrue claims sent in emails about sabotage against Lewis Hamilton.
Q: Did the police find anything?
The police looked into the claims but found no criminal activity.
Q: What is 'sandbagging' in F1?
It is when a team pretends to be slower than they really are during testing.