There has been a contrasting change of fortunes for two of the most successful racing outfits of the hybrid era, with Red Bull marching their way to the top and instilling their dominance in a rather sound fashion. Meanwhile, eight-time world champions Mercedes look quite lost in their development race. Hence, amidst such a shocking fall from glory, Formula 1 pundit David Croft isn’t holding back from questioning the Brackley outfit’s lone savior, Lewis Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion made it to the headlines earlier this season after firing shots at his own team. During a podcast, Hamilton publicly demanded accountability from Mercedes after failing to deliver a promising W14, a challenger he reckoned could have been better had the engineers listened to his inputs and suggestions.
“Last year, I told them the issues that are with the car,” he told BBC. “Like, I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need. nd I think it’s really about accountability, it’s about owning up and saying ‘yeah, you know what, we didn’t listen to you, it’s not where it needs to be and we’ve got to work’.”
Comparison between Mercedes 2020 (W11) and Red Bull 2023 (RB19)#F1 #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/6JJIxE8fh8
— FORMULA ADDICT (@Formuladdict) August 12, 2023
Weeks later, Mercedes came up with a tuned version of the W14 at the Spanish Grand Prix and the British duo of Hamilton and George Russell went on to claim their first double podium of the season. However, despite the growing optimism, Mercedes yet again failed to break out of the jinx and are currently reeling far behind Red Bull, and facing the heat from rivals, Aston Martin, McLaren and Ferrari.
David Croft criticizes recent Lewis Hamilton statement amidst horrendous Mercedes stint
After failing to hit the mark with B-spec car, the Sky F1 commentator opined that Hamilton and Russell must keep out of engineers’ path. Croft felt that the interference of drivers in the factory work could only lead to more complications, which is seemingly what’s currently happening at Mercedes.
“I worry with Mercedes who’s wagging these engineering changes?” he said according to Planet F1. “Is the engineering team saying we need to be changing our concept, or is it pressure from those in the cockpit from Lewis and from George?
Mercedes? It hasn’t found the magic touch with its 2023 #F1 car…
…and now the team has revealed some details about the issues the drivers are facing when they’re out on track 👀 pic.twitter.com/6JhrvMbieP
— The Race (@wearetherace) August 11, 2023
“Lewis is a vastly experienced racing driver and George has got plenty of experience himself, but you want the engineering team to be driving it because they understand engineering and design and aerodynamics way more than the drivers ever will. But I just worry that the changing concept, did it come from the cockpit or did it come from back at base?”
Overall, Mercedes have already shifted their focus to the 2024 season and hence, one could only anticipate a more awry ending to the ongoing season for the once-dominant world champions. Hence, amidst the depleting hopes, can Lewis Hamilton and Co. spur a potential twist in the tale?