‘People are quick to look for scapegoats’ Mercedes F1 write in a ‘letter to the fans’ amidst growing concern inside the team

Mercedes are in a tight spot. Their ‘zeropods’ car concept, has ultimately turned out to be a failure and the team have admitted defeat with it. Lewis Hamilton, their star and pillar, has openly expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation. He’s even alleged that the team “didn’t listen” to him over the W13’s issues. And he’s not the only one that isn’t happy.

Toto Wolff, too, stated that Mercedes can throw the W14 ‘in the trash can’. Devising a new car concept will take time, and this means that part of the season will be a throwaway for the Silver Arrows. So, their hopes of winning a title in 2023 are very slim. The fact that even Aston Martin, who utilize Mercedes engines, appear to be ahead of them, is just insult to injury. Fans have also expressed their unhappiness with Mercedes F1’s current state on social media.

And Mike Elliott, the technical director, has apparently been delivered an “ultimatum” to revive the current project. The current mood at Mercedes F1 looks tense, and it’s hard to see it improving unless the sporting situation improves. Which will take time, though the Germans may eventually be competitive with Red Bull again. Fans are anxious, and the team have addressed them in a “letter”.

The letter begins: “To all our fans. Bahrain hurt. It hurt each one of us, who head into every season determined to fight for world championships. It hurt the team as a whole, after pouring so much hard work into a car that hasn’t met our expectations. And we know it hurt you, our fans, too. Your passion and support are so important in driving us forward – and we know that we feel the same pain.”

Read More: “Not one problem, but several,” Helmut Marko has already ruled Mercedes out of 2023 F1 title contention

Mercedes “won’t panic or make knee-jerk reactions”

As for what the team will do about their current situation, which they obviously did not want, the letter states: “First, we won’t panic or make knee-jerk reactions. In a spotlight as fierce as F1, people are quick to point fingers, or look for scapegoats. But you know us better than that. Inside the team, we talk about having the courage to fail, the character to be accountable and the strength to see failure as an opportunity.” One might even say that Lewis Hamilton “pointed fingers” with his recent statements.

And while have developments coming up, the letter also warns that there are no “silver bullets”: “We have been open and searingly honest about where we find ourselves. And we are working urgently and calmly to build our recovery plan, focusing on what needs to happen short term, medium term, and long term to win. We already have developments in the pipeline for the next races – and there will be more to come. But this won’t be the work of a moment; there are no silver bullets in F1.”

The letter also asserts that Mercedes will keep their “heads held high” and stay “together through thick and thin”. They also call on the fans to “power us to the front”. As for online criticism, they ask fans to do it the “right way” while also stating their zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, abuse, or bullying of any kind. The reaction to the letter has been mostly positive, though there are obviously a few detractors.

In case you missed it:

• Mercedes’ technical director given an “ultimatum” to “revive” team’s F1 project after ’emergency meeting’ – Report
• Budget cap won’t impede Mercedes’ progress: Toto Wolff

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW