Ted Kravitz pinpoints ‘really odd’ Mercedes issue that could stop them challenging for 2025 F1 title

Mercedes endured another frustrating season during the ground-effect era in 2024 as they again struggled with inconsistent performances from their car.

After going winless in 2023 – the first time they had done so since 2011 – the Silver Arrows were hoping for a better campaign with the W15, especially considering it was Lewis Hamilton’s last year with the team before moving to Ferrari.

But Mercedes struggled to find the right balance to keep up with the likes of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari at the front. It took George Russell finishing third in Canada to score the team’s first podium of the season.

At that point in the season, the Brackley-based outfit suddenly found some performance as they won three of the next four races, with Russell grabbing an unlikely win in Austria and Hamilton winning at Silverstone and Spa – his first wins since 2021.

The team would not win again until they secured their first one-two finish since 2022 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Russell taking victory over Hamilton as the duo displayed blistering pace all weekend.

But by that point, Mercedes’ championship was already over as they were a considerable distance away from their rivals. The team finished the year in fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, 121 points behind third place Red Bull.

Ted Kravitz ‘still not sure’ Mercedes understand their car heading into 2025

While there were some moments of brilliance from Mercedes, Hamilton recorded the lowest finish of his career as he finished seventh in the standings, 22 points behind teammate Russell.

Heading in 2025, the Brackley-based outfit will be desperately hoping to improve their fortunes. But Jolyon Palmer has no confidence in Mercedes getting back to form in what is the final season of the ground effect era before the new technical regulations in 2026.

Ted Kravitz has similar feelings about the Silver Arrows next year, as he is ‘still not sure’ whether the team understand their car and how to find the right setup to maximise their performance.

“They’ve won four races this year, haven’t they? Many more than last year, but it’s the start of the season that was too poor for them,” he told Sky Sports F1.

“To this day I’m still not sure whether they really understand this car, how low they can run it, what kind of suspension settings, what kind of aero levels. They had low wings, high wings, they can win on some high downforce tracks, they can win on some low downforce tracks.

“So, it’s really odd and, if I’m honest I’d like to think that they can win as many races and move up but I don’t see them being constructors’ championships or challenging for the Constructors’ Championship next year either.”

Can Mercedes perform without Lewis Hamilton in 2025?

In what will already be a challenging season for them, Mercedes will face the daunting prospect of not having Hamilton in 2025, which is a monumental blow to their organisation.

The seven-time world champion will be replaced by teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with there being expectation on the Italian to perform given his impressive junior career.

Antonelli says it is ‘really important’ not to overcomplicate things in his debut season, and he will have great guidance around him with teammate Russell and new reserve driver Valtteri Bottas offering experience to the 18-year-old.

Oscar Piastri is wary that Mercedes are dark horses for 2025 and their performances towards the end of this season prove that the Silver Arrows could be. Whether they can find consistency over a full season is another question.