Mercedes

**Mercedes-AMG**

## Season Results

Complete Formula One results for Mercedes (UniONE results only).

Before the years of UniONE, Mercedes scored two Driver's Championships.

### **2014 (UniONE CAREER S1)**

Mercedes came into 2014 as the unchallenged dominant force. Only poor tyre wear cost Mercedes 5 victories throughout the season. All but two races were won by Mercedes powered cars. Mercedes finished the season with a record amount of points.

### **2015 (UniONE CAREER S2)**

Mercedes tyre wear issues continued in 2015, with both Nico Rosberg and Valtteri Bottas having to make an extra stop in most races. This would hand easy wins to the Ferrari drivers. With a revised points system for 2015, Mercedes would finish with not far off 400 less points than in 2014.

### **2016 (UniONE CAREER S3)**

By 2016, Mercedes had got on top of their tyre wear issues, however their W07 car was riddled with unreliability. Throughout Pre-Season testing, neither Fernando Alonso or Valtteri Bottas could manage more than 50 laps before a failure occurred. After the first 8 races of the season, Bottas had a 50% retirement rate, with all four retirements due to engine failures. Results would pick up later in the season, however Mercedes would slip to third in the Constructors with 119 less points than in 2015.

### **2017 (UniONE CAREER S4)**

Mercedes came into 2017 as one of the top challengers for the 2017 titles. Despite consistent podium finishes from Fernando Alonso and Pascal Wehrlein, neither driver was able to overcome the might of the Scuderia. After Alonso crashed out of the USA Grand Prix, neither Mercedes driver would be able to claim the Driver's Championship.

### **2018 (UniONE CAREER S5)**

Mercedes were expected to be a front running team once again, however there had been many changes internally within the team. The team were hoping that these changes could bring them championship success for what would be only the second time in the V6 Hybrid era. Multiple rumours had also been circulating that Fernando Alonso would retire at the close of the 2018 season. Mercedes designed a lower drag car to their 2017 counterpart, in an attempt to counteract the power advantage of Ferrari and BMW.

The car was designed more to the liking of Fernando Alonso, and the Spaniard would prove to be on the pace from the get go. Building a significant lead in the Driver's standings. On the other side of the garage, Wehrlein would struggle in the W09H, taking only one podium as one race win in the opening eleven races.

Going into the season finale, Mercedes trailed Williams-BMW by only 4 points. The Mercedes pair finished the race in 6th and 7th. Josh Tirowee finished in 4th with Robert Kubica 9th. With these results, Williams outscored Mercedes by a one point, giving the team the Constructor's championship by a total of 5 points.

### **2019 (UniONE CAREER S6)**

Most eyes were on Mercedes during testing, as they start afresh with Fernando Alonso retiring after the 2018 season. Much like Toyota, Mercedes focused more on long run pace during winter testing, but early signs look to be promising for the German outfit. Mercedes last mastered the regulation changes for 2014 and went on to dominate in both Championships.

The opening round would prove to be a great success for the new driver pairing. Despite narrowly missing out on the race win, Russell finished a very close second, with Kvyat in third. Round 2 would bring controversy to the team. Russell was disqualified from what was 7th place, as in the race he overtook the Alfa Romeo of josh Tirowee under waved yellow flags and hit the McLaren of Nobuharu Matsushita in front.

Kvyat finished on the podium in the first four races. That run came to an end two laps from the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, after he made heavy contact with the barriers. Getting back on form, Kvyat would take his first win for Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix, whilst also taking the bonus point for fastest lap. Teammate Russell retired early on from the race.

Russell was on course for his first win at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Brit stormed to pole and took a commanding lead early on in the race, with some blisteringly quick laps. However, after the first round of pit stops, a loose wheel forced Russell to pull over and retire from the race.

The final four races of the season were cancelled, costing Mercedes a chance to claim either Championship.

### **2020 (Season 7)**

The 2019 runner-ups look to have slumped a bit in performance. With the 2019 title fight going all the way, Mercedes were forced to continue to upgrade the W10. This meant less time and manpower to focus on the W11 challenger for 2020. Much like Williams, Mercedes will have to get back on top of their underdeveloped car if they're to challenge for the titles again in 2020. At least the car has good straight line speed, with the AMG branded Mercedes engine being one of the best on the grid.

One trick that could save Mercedes' season is the new DAS system. The Dual Axel Steering allows the drivers to push and pull the steering wheel to move the angle of the front wheels. This will allow the drivers to warm up the front tyres better, can slightly improve the speed of the car in a straight line and increase cornering stability. Although the DAS system was proving troublesome for the drivers to get used to, making the car unpredictable under breaking and medium speed corners.

During the season opener round at Canada, both drivers looked to have got on top of the DAS system. Both drivers qualifying and finishing in the top six. as the opening rounds progressed, it became clear however that Mercedes had taken a step back in performance, with only scoring a quarter of the points that Championship leaders Toyota had in the same time frame. The W11 proved difficult to handle with the DAS system, and Mercedes outside the top 3 in the Championship for the first time in the V6 Hybrid era.

### **2021 (Season 8)**

Mercedes used the days of testing to try and further their understanding of the DAS system, as when it works for them, the cars have very encouraging pace. Mercedes look to have improves slightly from an underwhelming 2020 campaign, which saw Kvyat take the team's one and only podium finish at the opening round. For a team used to fighting for Championships, their target for 2021 is 'best of the rest', which looks to be 5th.

The AMG branded Mercedes Power Units once again look to be strong, so at least Mercedes and customer team Aston Martin won't have to worry about their straight line speed.

The German giants saw no reason to change their driver lineup, Daniil Kvyat and George Russell will once again have to push 110 per cent every race weekend to extract the maximum from the car. Pascal Wehrlein remains the teams reserve and test driver.

The opening race was difficult but showed encouraging pace for both Mercedes drivers. Kvyat and Russell ustalized the impressing power of their AMG branded Mercedes engines to secure a double points finish. Mercedes performed decently again in Round two at COTA. Russell started and finished in 12th, whilst Kvyat recovered to 14th after a Q1 elimination, as it was a Wildcard Race the Russian also secured points. Mercedes showed improvement from 2020 in the early rounds, with Kvyat securing low end points finishes.

Russell's time to shine came at the British Grand Prix. Arguably his best performance since his debut race, the Brit managed a 7th place finish to secure 6 crucial points in front of the home crowd.

Mercedes endured a difficult shortened season, mired in the midfield to finish 7th. The team failed to reach the podium for the first time since 2011.

### **2022 (Season 9)**

Mercedes took to the track with the distinctive 'zero sidepod' design, but their downfall looks set to continue in 2022. The German giants are suffering the most from purposing. The W13 appears to be a very good car, but Mercedes can't optimize the car to its full potential. To compound their misery, fuel supplier Petronas have struggled to produce a competitive E10 fuel. Along with customer teams Aston Martin and McLaren, Mercedes are the slowest cars in a straight line.

Mercedes' result may have taken a dive as of late, but the team know it's the car and not the drivers. Therefore, it was a no-brainer for the German Giants to sign both Lewis Hamilton to return and partner George Russell. Hamilton grew frustrated with Toyota's strategic failures, along with many mechanical failures last season. Danill Kvyat exits F1 frustrated to miss out on multiple title opportunities, and with Mercedes only falling further away, opted to explore other opportunities.

Both Mercedes and Hamilton needed to rebuild from disappointing 2021 campaigns, and two points finishes to open the season was a good foundation. Russell took his first points at Round 3, with a 10th place finish.

Round 5, Singapore Grand Prix - Russell pit on lap 17, and undercut Tirowee who pit three laps later. A crucial move as the rain returned. Four laps later, some drivers pit for Inters, but others came in for new Softs, believing the rain would pass. This would prove to be a grave error in judgement, as at the end of the lap all those on Softs came back into the pits for Intermediates. On lap 28 Tirowee now held the lead, but Russell had his tyres fired up, and in a battle through sector 2, the Mercedes stole the lead. Contesting his fourth season in F1, Russell was still searching for his first race win. His wait would continue as he locked up into turn 1 on lap 29, and Tirowee retook the lead, both lapping last place Esteban Ocon during the exchange. Tirowee held the lead for the remainder of the race (+ FL), finishing four seconds clear of Russell.

There was a mass-pileup during the Belgian Grand Prix involving Russell. Most drivers made their one stop at the end of lap 10. Perez pitted for Hard tyres. At pit exit, his RB18 suffered a gearbox issue, as was stuck in second. The Mercedes behind of Russell plowed into Perez, shattering parts of the M13 all over the track. Unsighted drivers behind plowed into the wreckage. Russell, Gasly, Ocon, Albon and Matsushita all left behind their wrecked machines.

The four former would receive medical attention. The red flag was brought out, allowing Verstappen to hold the lead. Perez's fate wad sealed on the reconnaissance lap to the rolling restart, another gearbox issue holding the Mexican.

Wehrlein was drafted in to replace the injured George Russell. The German turned heads qualifying 6th for the French Grand Prix. The race was ran in mixed conditions. Wehrlein drove cleanly to score a welcome 2 points for 11th.

Wehrlein looked for redemption after retiring early in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The German's tyre wear was unmatched around the Red Bull Ring. Gaining places steadily, he found himself in 3rd and was catching the scrapping Verstappen and Tirowee ahead. When Verstappen retired, Tirowee pitted behind the resulting Safety Car, and dropped to 5th. On green flag, Wehrlein instantly pulled clear of the Ferrari behind. When Tirowee made his way back up to 2nd, Wehrlein did all he could to defend from the Alfa Romeo. With two laps remaining, Tirowee made the move that stuck for the lead. Wehrlein finished second, for his first podium since Japan 2018.

George Russell returned for the British Grand Prix, and was immediately on the pace, qualifying and finishing his home race in 6th.

Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes looked to be suffering less purposing as this circuit than any other so far this season. The German team was confident in their chances this weekend. George Russell lined up an encouraging 3rd. Verstappen qualified 2nd, but drops to 7th with a gearbox penalty.

Leclerc held the lead from a fast charging Russell. Mercedes had their first real chance of winning a race on pace, and pitted Hamilton on lap 14. Leclerc, Russell and Zhou responded on the next lap. A lightning stop from Mercedes got the Brit out ahead of the Ferrari and into the net race lead. Russell was putting on a masterful display of defending from Leclerc, the Alfa Romeos and Verstappen. The W13, for once, was running a lower drag setup, and was able to keep the faster Ferrari and RBPT powered cars at bay. Tensions rose when Sainz suffered yet another mechanical retirement on lap 23/33. Leclerc crushed Mercedes and Russell's hopes of a first win at the end of lap 27. The Brit had nothing left in his Hards, and a superior exit out of the final corner gave Leclerc the run he needed with DRS into turn 1. From there the flood gates opened, and the Brit dropped to 5th. In the chaos, Tirowee supremely passed Russell, Zhou and Verstappen through turn 3 to move into 2nd.

Mercedes' misfortune continued at USA. Hamilton was on a two-stop strategy, and once Leclerc picked up damage was on course for victory. He spun mid race on his own and dropped out of the points. Russell was on target for a top 5, but smashed into Sergio Sette Camara's Aston Martin and lost his front wing. A possible win or double podium lead to a pointless race.

Inconsistency again cost a podium finish for Russell at the Mexican Grand Prix. Zhou lead back to green towards the end of the race, but Leclerc used the slipstream down to turn 1 to assume the lead from the Alfa Romeo. The Chinese then played the team game and let Tirowee past. Russell also muscled past into the final podium position. Tirowee powered into the lead on lap 30/35, Leclerc had no answer on his worn Hards. Russell made a very opportunistic dive on Leclerc into turn 3 from way too far back and damaged his front right suspension. Another podium went begging for the Brackley based outfit.

Mercedes had one final chance to show the theoretical pace of the W13 at Brazil. Russell and Hamilton locked out the second row. Verstappen pulled away from the get go. Tirowee was a clear 2nd, after Russell lost time trying to make an overoptimistic move and dropped behind Hamilton and Alonso. Hamiltion made another error with the W13, and lost the final podium spot to Leclerc on lap 7. Mercedes developed well throughout the season, but constant errors cost the team a shot at Ferrari and 4th.

### **2023 (Season 10)**

Mercedes, much like Ferrari, appear to have hit a ceiling with their car concept. The W14 is faster than its predecessor, but has a peaky setup window. The team found an error in the wind tunnel simulations too late when exploring other concepts, causing Mercedes to have believed the 'Zero Pods' concept was the way to go. Two major upgrade packages are to come throughout the season, as they were already in development before the error was noticed.

Mercedes remain stable, and keep the same driver line up. George Russell had his best season since 2019, taking a second place at Singapore, and came within laps of his first win at Spain. His injury from the Belgian Grand Prix last season is far behind him, and he's fully focused on securing his maiden victory. 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton continues with the German giants. Despite not appearing on the rostrum in 2022, the Brit was far more consistent than Russell, but mistakes crept in when a top three was on the cards.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Josh Tirowee's Red Bull ERS issues were still occurring on lap 12. George Russell made a move down the strip, but Tirowee regained the place as both pitted at the end of the lap. Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Verstappen lead from Hamilton, Alonso, Russell and Leclerc. The squabbling from the three Mercedes powered cars allowed Tirowee to get back in the action. Red Bull were able to resolve the ERS issue under the Safety Car. Alonso squeezed out Russell on the run down the final straight, and Tirowee made his presence known passing both of them onto lap 23. The RB19 has a significant DRS advantage, as well as being the package to beat aerodynamically. Tirowee made it a Red Bull 1-2 on the final lap, pulling a gap over Hamilton. Hamilton and Russell brought the W14s home in 3rd and 4th.

For the first time in 10 years, Yas Marina hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton won the last race here in 2014 in a Mercedes and is on top early. Russell topped FP2 in the other Mercedes. Tirowee pulled out a mega lap to once again steal pole on the last lap. Hamilton went back to his FP1 setup and completed the front row. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ran in the sunlight. Tirowee held the lead but Hamilton was hungry for his first win since 2020 and made the move in sector 2. Russell was making up for a poor qualifying, and made a sweeping move around the outside of both Gasly and Norris through the new turn 7 on lap 9. Those on a one-stop began to pit at the end of lap 13. Hamilton went one lap longer, and Verstappen further still onto lap 15. Red Bull split the strategy, and left Tirowee out until lap 19 to pit for Softs. Verstappen caught and passed Hamilton for the lead in lap 25, but couldn't pull a gap to the Mercedes. Verstappen was leading onto the final lap. Hamilton has saved as much battery as he could for one final assault. Down the back straight, Hamilton dumped the entire battery from the W14 and made a move on the final lap for the win. Hamilton won for the first time since 2020. Verstappen was only 3 tenths behind.

Mercedes went from being the nearest challengers to Red Bull to being mired in the midfield at Bahrain. Both cars were out in Q2. Russell found pace on the Hards, and made progress into the points positions. Hamilton was losing over a second a lap, his Hards got gelling with the W14. The Mercedes swapped places on lap 24, as Norris and Albon demoted the 2008 Champion out of the points. Russell salvaged a 6th place finish, whilst Hamilton was down in 13th.

The knifedge characteristics from the W13 began to reemerge with the W14 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Mercedes could get heat into the Wets during Q2 and were knocked out in 14th and 15th. Hamilton had a better race than Russell, but could only climb up to 11th at race end. Russell had a race to forget down in 17th whilst struggling to keep the AlphaTauri of Lawson behind.

For the British Grand Prix, Mercedes ran with a one-off purple livery in support of Lewis Hamilton's Mission 44 initiative. Mercedes junior Frederik Vesti took the purple arrow out for some laps in FP1. Hamilton finished FP1 where he wants to remain for the rest of the weekend, on top from fellow Brits Tirowee and Ticktum. It was another all-Brit top 3 in FP2 with the same top 2 and Norris in 3rd. It was another all-Brit top 3 in FP2 with the same top 2 and Norris in 3rd. FP3 took place in Intermediate conditions, with the rain expected to continue into Qualifying. Zhou found the pace to go fastest from Norris and Hamilton. Hamilton made a mistake on his final run in Q3 and was only 10th. Most of the grid pit at the end of lap 12. Most boxed for Hards, whilst McLaren were risking it all for a home win and opted for Mediums. Hamilton was also on charge and scythed past Verstappen and Leclerc to make an all-Brit top 3. Hamilton couldn't maintain his earlier offensive, and fell back behind the Ferrari and Red Bull. Hamilton held onto 5th, whilst Russell went under the radar to climb to 6th, and finished directly behind the 2008 Champion.

## Racing Record (UniONE CAREER Results Only)

Results in **bold**, indicate Championships won.