Mercedes Benz’s modern Formula One journey began in 2010 with the establishment of a works team, marking the foundation for a spectacular ascent in Grand Prix racing. The return of the legendary Michael Schumacher ignited immediate excitement, yet it was on-track performance that soon captured headlines. In their debut season, Mercedes secured three podium finishes, all credited to Nico Rosberg. Rosberg then achieved a momentous breakthrough in 2012 at the Chinese Grand Prix, claiming both pole position and victory. The subsequent season saw Lewis Hamilton join Rosberg, forging a formidable partnership that led to epic title battles. The Silver Arrows dominated the sport, becoming one of the most powerful teams in the modern Formula One era, until challenged by the rise of Red Bull. Despite this shift, with proven race winner George Russell now alongside rising star Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes remains a top contender in Formula One.
2024: Challenges and Hamilton’s Departure
The 2024 season presented inconsistencies for Mercedes, with the W15 car delivering mixed results, leading to a fourth-place overall standing despite two wins each for George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. A significant announcement early in the season revealed Hamilton’s impending move to Ferrari at the end of the year, adding another layer of complexity to Mercedes’ campaign.
2023: Development and Resilience
2023 marked a rare winless season for Mercedes in Grand Prix racing, the first since 2011. The W14 car showed limited improvement over its predecessor initially. However, relentless development efforts throughout the season allowed the team to outperform Ferrari and secure second place in the constructors’ championship at the final race.
2022: Rule Changes and Russell’s Victory
Radical changes in regulations for the 2022 season significantly altered the competitive landscape of Formula One. Mercedes’ W13 car did not fully adapt to these changes, positioning them behind Red Bull and Ferrari in the pecking order. George Russell, the team’s new driver, achieved Mercedes’ sole victory of the season and surpassed Lewis Hamilton in points, who experienced his first winless Formula One season.
2021: Verstappen’s Challenge and Constructor’s Title
The 2021 season brought the most intense challenge to Mercedes’ turbo-hybrid era dominance. Lewis Hamilton, despite winning eight races, narrowly lost the drivers’ championship to Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Nevertheless, Mercedes demonstrated its strength by securing the constructors’ title for an unprecedented eighth consecutive season, highlighting their consistent team performance in Formula One.
2020: Dominance and Hamilton’s Record-Breaking Year
In 2020, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton reached new heights of performance. Hamilton dominated the season, winning 11 races and breaking numerous records on his way to securing his seventh drivers’ world championship, equaling Michael Schumacher’s record. This achievement came despite Hamilton missing a race due to Covid-19. Valtteri Bottas added two more wins, ensuring another dominant double championship victory for the Silver Arrows in Formula One.
