2024 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[PlatinumZealot]

Six people have jumped from Merc to Ferrari since Lewis was confirmed? I’d anticipate similar moves, if Max signs. With Newey gone, and if others begin to leave, it opens the floodgate. It happened at Merc, and it will happen again, once people realise the era of dominance is over, and seek a new challenge. Geographically, it’s an easy move too, on families.

Lewis and Max are not the same obviously. Lewis Hamilton is an influencer... a movement... a philosophy.. His beliefs are out there in the world... people will follow because they believe his philosophy will spread through a team. Max is just a dude who drives really really fast. For now.

[dialtone]

Max rejected the mega offer then. Toto has to fill in 1 year as Max isn’t interested to join next year.

[organic]

Max rejected the mega offer then. Toto has to fill in 1 year as Max isn’t interested to join next year.

What do you think they will do? My thinking is that they should sign Sainz on 1 year.

It would benefit Merc as he's a solid driver and currently available. Would deliver decent results, probably about as quick as George . Antonelli or Max may be ready come 2026

Sainz can hope to retain the Merc seat if Antonelli isn't ready/ Max doesnt want the seat, or perhaps take Max's place at RB if Verstappen wishes to get out of there.

Maybe a 1-year contract for Merc isn't as appealing as multi-year at Sauber.. but having to drive for Stake F1 team in 2025 would be demeaning

[CHT]

Six people have jumped from Merc to Ferrari since Lewis was confirmed? I’d anticipate similar moves, if Max signs. With Newey gone, and if others begin to leave, it opens the floodgate. It happened at Merc, and it will happen again, once people realise the era of dominance is over, and seek a new challenge. Geographically, it’s an easy move too, on families.

Lewis and Max are not the same obviously. Lewis Hamilton is an influencer... a movement... a philosophy.. His beliefs are out there in the world... people will follow because they believe his philosophy will spread through a team. Max is just a dude who drives really really fast. For now.

+ Fashion model, trend setter, motivational speaker on winning mindset, movie producer, DJ etc

[Cs98]

Six people have jumped from Merc to Ferrari since Lewis was confirmed? I’d anticipate similar moves, if Max signs. With Newey gone, and if others begin to leave, it opens the floodgate. It happened at Merc, and it will happen again, once people realise the era of dominance is over, and seek a new challenge. Geographically, it’s an easy move too, on families.

Lewis and Max are not the same obviously. Lewis Hamilton is an influencer... a movement... a philosophy.. His beliefs are out there in the world... people will follow because they believe his philosophy will spread through a team. Max is just a dude who drives really really fast. For now.

Truth is ever since Lewis became a movement and a philosophy., the team started going down the tubes. That's just reality. All these artificial hiring practices cannot be good for an F1 team that is thirsty for the best available talent.

[Mosin123]

Six people have jumped from Merc to Ferrari since Lewis was confirmed? I’d anticipate similar moves, if Max signs. With Newey gone, and if others begin to leave, it opens the floodgate. It happened at Merc, and it will happen again, once people realise the era of dominance is over, and seek a new challenge. Geographically, it’s an easy move too, on families.

Lewis and Max are not the same obviously. Lewis Hamilton is an influencer... a movement... a philosophy.. His beliefs are out there in the world... people will follow because they believe his philosophy will spread through a team. Max is just a dude who drives really really fast. For now.

Truth is ever since Lewis became a movement and a philosophy., the team started going down the tubes. That's just reality. All these artificial hiring practices cannot be good for an F1 team that is thirsty for the best available talent.

So when he started before he joined Mercades, he won 7 titles, nearly 8, and yet during this whole time, he was really downgrading Mercades? hows does that work? Mercades didnt win a thing before LH?

[Farnborough]

Max rejected the mega offer then. Toto has to fill in 1 year as Max isn’t interested to join next year.

What do you think they will do? My thinking is that they should sign Sainz on 1 year.

It would benefit Merc as he's a solid driver and currently available. Would deliver decent results, probably about as quick as George . Antonelli or Max may be ready come 2026

Sainz can hope to retain the Merc seat if Antonelli isn't ready/ Max doesnt want the seat, or perhaps take Max's place at RB if Verstappen wishes to get out of there.

Maybe a 1-year contract for Merc isn't as appealing as multi-year at Sauber.. but having to drive for Stake F1 team in 2025 would be demeaning

If no tangible alternative for Toto, it'll be Ocon in MB, Antonelli in Williams, Doohan in one of the Alpine

[Vanja #66]

With Toto's attempted coup to bring Max definitely failed, it's clear he needs to step down asap and make room for more competent people to get the team out of their troubles. Otherwise, it will be top of the midfield for years and years for Mercedes.

[Jambier]

Max was a long shot, obviously he will not join Mercedes.

Then:
- SAI is available, but being here for 1 year is not very good... I believe he will negotiate to be here at least in 2026 with the new reg as well
- ANT is to young, it would be a stupid move to "burn" him. Let's give him a couple of years at Williams
- Then, there is the backup plan that is OCO

[CHT]

Max was a long shot, obviously he will not join Mercedes.

Then:
- SAI is available, but being here for 1 year is not very good... I believe he will negotiate to be here at least in 2026 with the new reg as well
- ANT is to young, it would be a stupid move to "burn" him. Let's give him a couple of years at Williams
- Then, there is the backup plan that is OCO

I will put Vettel as dark horse. Perhaps for 2 years contract

[Jdn1327]

With Toto's attempted coup to bring Max definitely failed, it's clear he needs to step down asap and make room for more competent people to get the team out of their troubles. Otherwise, it will be top of the midfield for years and years for Mercedes.

I've always thought Mercedes would be untouchable had Wolff realised he isn't a technical minded TP. A combination of him handling business matters and say a Horner type team boss would make a very efficient and successful team. Maybe in another dimension hey.

[Vanja #66]

I've always thought Mercedes would be untouchable had Wolff realised he isn't a technical minded TP. A combination of him handling business matters and say a Horner type team boss would make a very efficient and successful team. Maybe in another dimension hey.

Wolff doesn't bring anything to the table. He didn't bring it to Mercedes when they were champions and he does not do it now. The only thing he brings is dividends to himself as 1/3rd team owner and that's it. Kudos for understanding Ross Brawn built a very good team in Brackley and Brixworth HPP were building a great PU for 2014, leading him to invest in the team.

[Jdn1327]

I've always thought Mercedes would be untouchable had Wolff realised he isn't a technical minded TP. A combination of him handling business matters and say a Horner type team boss would make a very efficient and successful team. Maybe in another dimension hey.

Wolff doesn't bring anything to the table. He didn't bring it to Mercedes when they were champions and he does not do it now. The only thing he brings is dividends to himself as 1/3rd team owner and that's it. Kudos for understanding Ross Brawn built a very good team in Brackley and Brixworth HPP were building a great PU for 2014, leading him to invest in the team.

Haha yeah you know what you're absolutely right. I hadn't thought about it this way. Tbh, he will never leave the team. He won't step down. And even if the engine is good in 2026, Honda and ferrari will probably have an engine just as good but their car will be better.

[Vanja #66]

Tbh, he will never leave the team. He won't step down.

Yeah... Well, why should near self destruction after period of great success be only Ferrari and McLaren thing...

[chrisc90]

I've always thought Mercedes would be untouchable had Wolff realised he isn't a technical minded TP. A combination of him handling business matters and say a Horner type team boss would make a very efficient and successful team. Maybe in another dimension hey.

Wolff doesn't bring anything to the table. He didn't bring it to Mercedes when they were champions and he does not do it now. The only thing he brings is dividends to himself as 1/3rd team owner and that's it. Kudos for understanding Ross Brawn built a very good team in Brackley and Brixworth HPP were building a great PU for 2014, leading him to invest in the team.

Said the same ages ago.