Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok believes Merced🉐es are in a “slightly odd situation” heading into the 2025 season.

Merc🐬edes have failed to fight consistently for race wins since the ground effect rules were introduced at the start of 2022.

Last year, Mercedes e♈ndured an inconsistent level of performance.

They dominated the Las Vegas Grand Prix as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell dominated from the front, but they were the ꦬf꧒ourth-fastest team for much of the season.

With the rules remaining stab✅le over the winter, it remains to be seen whether Mercedes can𒁏 finally get on top of the rules.

Chandhok admitted that Mercedes were one of the big𓆉gest disappointm🐻ents of last year.

Reflecting on their performance, Chandhok said on the podcast: “That’s been one of 💞the frustrations to b🃏e honest. To be honest, they were the big disappointment of 2024.

“I think it was Canada where we thought they had made a big step forward as George qualified well, but it never happened. We went to Vegas, it’s ꦛfreezing cold and all of a sudden they’re just smashing the opposition. George could have won that race by 30 seconds if he wanted to. It’s just confusing.

“They’re confused. That’s the only thing they kept saying after the race. They had no idea why they had won it. Listen, the core people who won those seven world championships in a row are still there. They’re not idiots. But for whatever reason, they haven’t♔ got a handle of t꧟his set of regulations.”

Mercedes’ dilemma for 2025

Mercedes have a major dilemma in 2025.

With the new rules coming next year♌ - entirely new engines and chassis design - some teams might give up on 2025 early to focus on the new rules.

Mercedes could be one of ꦍthose teams, given their recent struggles.

Chandhok added: “They’re in a slightly odd s🍸ituation. They’re at a fork in the road. How much do you focus on 202🦂5 and try to get some results out of it? 

“Or do you just say let’s accept we’ve not got on top of these rules and get on to 2026 - fully focus o🥂n that.♊”