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Mercedes Technical Director, James Allison feels ‘enormous relief’ in the team’s recent improved performance.
James Allison, Mercedes Technical Director (left) standing in front of the 2024 W15. (Image Credit: @JunaidSamodien_ on X)Following George Russell’s pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix, James Allison was a recent guest on Formula 1’s Beyond the Grid Podcast. The team’s Technical Director joined in 2017 during their dominance and success in F1 from 2014 to 2021.
Allison discussed the team’s previous success compared to their recent failures in 2024. He also explains the fixes and improvements that the team has made – as marked by their success in Canada – and their momentum for the future.
From success to failure
While Red Bull currently dominates Formula 1, Mercedes enjoyed a run of success from 2014 through to 2021. The arrival of new technical regulations in 2014 heralded an era of Mercedes dominance. The Brackley-based outfit achieved eight consecutive Constructors’ Championship trophies from 2014 to 2021 and seven consecutive Drivers’ Championship titles between 2014 and 2020.
Not a bad recent haul… ?
Nothing like arriving at work to new trophies! #BritishGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/k9pvkHXgzf
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 18, 2017
Allison explained that the team did not just get the car right within the technical rules during this period, but they also found the best way of operating together. He said:
“The way that we had found of working in the previous set of rules was very effective.”
He continued:
“I don’t just mean […] the way we’d shape the front wing or the particular way that we handled tyre squirt at the rear of the car. I mean that the way the key engineering groups interacted with one another in the team […] worked for eight seasons […] something no one has ever done before.”
To compare that prior success to 2024, this season has been their weakest start in over a decade.
Learning from their mistakes
Allison shared that the new rules required a different way of working. When asked why the new regulations required a different way of working, he responded:
“Mostly because the cars are all so uncomfortably near to the ground in this set of rules.”
This meant that the teams responsible for suspension and aerodynamics needed to work a lot closer with one another. Mercedes were not used to this new set-up. Instead, their downfall was to continue with their existing teamwork model into the new era of regulations.
An issue with their dominant period was complacency. He believes that complacency does set in when the team is significantly dominating. When he joined in the team’s third year of dominance, Allison shared that he “joined a team that was already very very aware that it would be complacency that killed us”.
Speaking of their recent failures, Allison agreed with Niki Lauda’s statement that you learn more when you lose than when you win. He shared that their struggles forced the team to “look under every rock” to find improvements. Mercedes is now entering a “build back phase” following their unbroken run of success.
One year ago today, the world of motorsport lost one of their own. In this interview, Niki Lauda reflected on key lessons that prove priceless in these difficult times – an inspiring reminder why he will never be forgotten.
Thank you, Niki. For everything. pic.twitter.com/rGX0dWl1bT
— Mercedes-Benz (@MercedesBenz) May 20, 2020
Was Canada the turning point?
Russell achieved pole position at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix. Many Mercedes fans are seeing this as the team’s change in fortune. However, Allison explained that the team has seen improvement over the last three races. He said Mercedes are: “three races into something that has been a progressively improving car” and added:
“It just happens that we’ve put it on pole at this quite unusual track. But I think that the things that have given us that opportunity have been coming for a few races”.
POLE!! Holy moly! Let’s go team!!! ? pic.twitter.com/NuySn4rJ02
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) June 8, 2024
Allison shared that the specifics of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal may have led fans to prematurely believe the team are “already there” with a comeback in success. However, Allison would “be surprised” if the team achieved pole position at the next race but is confident the team will improve in the upcoming races and be “as fast as anybody”.
So what improvements has Mercedes made? Allison explained that it was not a eureka moment during their development process, but more of a realisation that they should have seen the path forward in advancements sooner.
A big part of the improvement came with the front wing switch in Monaco to balance high and low-speed handling. He explained that the driver needs to “trust both the front and rear axle in a fast corner and a slow corner”. Allison shared that their mistake was focusing on downforce and all the side problems that, while making small improvements, did not address the fundamental issue with the car.
The future for Mercedes
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Allison was asked about Mercedes’ 2025 driver lineup. With Lewis Hamilton leaving for Ferrari next season, the seat alongside Russell has been a hot topic. Many current drivers’ contracts expire at the end of this year.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been earmarked as a leading competitor for the Mercedes seat. Recently, the FIA changed the sporting regulations. They added a clause that allows 17-year-old drivers to receive a super licence at their discretion. Previously, the rule had stated that the driver had to be 18.
? | According to what Corriere dello Sport learned, Kimi Antonelli's will get the second Mercedes for 2025.
It was precisely Kimi Antonelli's private tests that convinced Mercedes management for his contract for 2025.
Toto Wolff doesn't want to let Antonelli escape just like… pic.twitter.com/JTMpOg7dCj
— F1_MercHub (@F1MercHub) May 28, 2024
Kimi Antonelli is 17 years old and will not turn 18 until August this year. The Italian driver has been testing Mercedes’ 2022 TPC car to familiarise himelf with it. He is also competing in Formula 2 for PREMA after skipping Formula 3.
Allison shared that he does not have anything to do with the choice of driver. He focuses on developing the car. However, he admitted that he cannot ignore that Kimi Antonelli is “pretty bloody good”. Allison said:
“We’ve got this burgeoning young talent who is gathering his strength and who’s headed our way at some point.”
Allison remarked that if Kimi Antonelli has the talent, temperament, and skill then he can succeed. It will not matter that it is undoubtedly a huge ask of someone so young to step into a leading team’s F1 seat. He stated:
“If the talent is there it won’t matter […] they will step up to that ask and all things point towards Kimi having those things”.
Could Kimi Antonelli secure the 2025 Mercedes seat? Or, in light of the regulation change and recent rumours, could he be behind the wheel of an F1 car sooner? Perhaps replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season at Williams.
Featured Image Credit: @F1MercHub on X