‘A tall order’ - Worrying F1 2024 warning issued for Mercedes by former CEO
Mercedes could be in for another "difficult" F1 season in 2024, according to their forꦐmer CE🍨O.
Ex-Mercedes CEO Nick Fry is concerned that his former team is in for another “difficult” F1 season this year and believes they face a “tall order” t📖o compete with Red Bull.
Following an unprecedented run of eight consecutive constructors’ championship during the V6 hybrid era, Mercedes have endured two hugely difficult campaigns s𝕴ince ground effect regulations were introduced in 20🌳22.
Mercedes’ bold ‘zeropod’ approach failed to deliver, resౠulting in the team abandoning the ౠdesign early in 2023. After favouring a route that is more conventional, Mercedes are hoping to challenge Red Bull this season with their revamped W15 car.
But Fry is not convinced Mercedes can make the competitive step they are aiming f🧔or beca♎use they have “fallen so far behind by taking a different technical route”.
“I'm sorry to say this, but I don't see the technical team as strong enough at my former team, Mercedes,” Fry told 🔥.
“Competing with Adrian Newey's team is a tall orde🃏rꦫ. They're a great team of people, but they've fallen so far behind by taking a different technical route.
“The rate of improvement is significant year upon year, but spending a year or two with a difജferent cꦦoncept that doesn't work results in trouble.
“It's easy to say that in hindsight, but they're learning what the likes of Red Bull learned a long time ago. It's difficult to c🐭atch up.
“I'm sure they'll be good, but I'm not sure if the𝓡y'll be exceptional. I can't see Mercedes consistently be🎐ating Red Bull.
“It's hard for me to admit 🔯as I have such a deep attachment to them, but I think it's going t♍o be difficult this year.”
�༒�Fry instead reckons Ferrari are better placed to take the fight to Red Bull in 2024.
“I think Ferrari will continue toﷺ improve,” he explained.
“Fred Vasseur is ver🐷y experienced as a team leader, and I think he'll provide the air cover from the pressures of the Italian media.
“I think he'll do a good job with that and keep the team calm. You have to be fai👍rly unemotion❀al.
“Ferrari would be my favourites to pu🔴sh Re💛d Bull.”
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