bobmac
Major Champion
If they can build a world beating car 8 years in a row, they're no dummies
F1 2022
- Thread starter bobmac
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If they can build a world beating car 8 years in a row, they're no dummies
Swango1980
Well-known member
They're not. But, history shows us that you can have absolutely dominant teams one year, and then instantly be left behind the next year. And, it is often very difficult to turn it around again to your advantage. Especially as the like of Ferrari and Red Bull (and most other constructors) have pretty good people working for them as well.
bobmac
Major Champion
History does not shows us a team that dominates for 8 years and then instantly gets left behind the next year.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
But in the past 8 years, have there been such radical rule changes as this year? Might be that Mercedes need to go back to proper sidepods 
bobmac
Major Champion
I'm just giving my opinion
Swango1980
Well-known member
I'm not sure if you are wedding yourself to this "8 years", as if 8 is a magic number.
Red Bull dominated for 4 years immediately before Mercedes smacked them out of the park.
Ferrari dominated for 5 years (2000-2004), although were in the picture a few years after. Then they became uncompetitive.
Williams were highly competitive, then became nothing. Same as McClaren.
It also depends what you define as "instantly gets left behind". Clearly, that does not mean they are bottom of the pack, as they are not. However, 2 teams have made significant progress ahead of them with the new rule changes, and Mercedes are now mixed in with the chasing pack.
So, my instinct is that Mercedes will more than likely NOT be able to close the gap this year. That being said, it would also not be a surprise if they did turn things around. It depends on how much testing they can do, the extent of the problems (and them being able to identify them) and how many changes that can feasibly make to this years car. My hope is they WILL be able to turn things around, it would be nice to see 3 teams fighting at the top (although I'd be content with the Red Bull car continually breaking down, as it makes me laugh)
bobmac
Major Champion
Hardly....
George Russell is 2nd in the drivers championship
Mercedes is 2nd in the constructors championship
Swango1980
Well-known member
After 3 races. If you took any snippet of 3 consecutive races at any time in history, you might find the results do not match the actual performance of the cars and drivers. And, you are blissfully ignoring how those races panned out.
I think we all know Mercedes are currently "miles" behind Ferrari and Red Bull. Unless we think Red Bull are going to continue the trend of breaking down in most races.
bobmac
Major Champion
I'm done
Canary_Yellow
Journeyman Pro
Tell it to red bull. They were dominant before Merc were.
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
I appreciate the different downforce direction they are all working with, but I wonder whether the high rake chassis teams have approached the new rules from a different aspect because of that.
Canary_Yellow
Journeyman Pro
The merc does not seem to be improving based on this latest showing.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Hamilton no longer the best driver in his team, never mind in F1 history ?
Pants
Challenge Tour Pro
The Merc updates looking good 
Canary_Yellow
Journeyman Pro
Great work from the engineers, there’s no chance of that porpoising.
Foxholer
Blackballed
H'mm...Bit early in the season to start that. From memory, it was 'bad timing' from the team that cost Hamilton the big points loss. I've never been one to compare drivers in different eras either.
bobmac
Major Champion
Russell P1
Hamilton P4
Not bad for a couple of old tractors
Hamilton P4
Not bad for a couple of old tractors
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Swango1980
Well-known member
What?
Foxholer
Blackballed
That was Final Practice
Didn't go so well in the Sprint Race/Qualifying - 11th & 14th
