Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Prime
Opinion

The difference between Mercedes’ stumble and the fall of F1 giants

OPINION: Mercedes endured its worst season of the hybrid Formula 1 era, but was mercifully spared its first winless campaign in over a decade late on. It has owned up to the mistakes it made which led to its troubled W13. And while its task to return to title-challenging contention is not small, its 2022 season seems more like a blip than the beginning of a downward spiral.

Red Bull bucked a Formula 1 trend on its way back to the summit. Even during seven comparatively fallow seasons after the Sebastian Vettel-fronted glory days, it never satisfied the criteria of a 'fallen giant'. The fractious Renault-powered fragility that bottomed out with a winless 2015 and fourth in the points took it close. And throughout its time off the top, it played second fiddle to Mercedes. But Christian Horner and co remained in the mix.

Certainly, the slump was not in the same league as its preeminent predecessors. An exceptional Fernando Alonso in 2012 merely masked a lukewarm Ferrari coming down from its 2000s pomp. The signs of a McLaren revival have only properly arrived under the leadership of Andreas Seidl. As for Williams, it remains one of F1's great 'superteams' only thanks to history.

Previous article Why Binotto's exit leaves Ferrari with an impossible target for F1 2023
Next article The added complication Ferrari faces in its hunt for Binotto's F1 successor

More from Matt Kew

McLaren will "protect" Piastri from busy Melbourne F1 schedule

McLaren will "protect" Piastri from busy Melbourne F1 schedule

F1 Formula 1
McLaren will "protect" Piastri from busy Melbourne F1 schedule McLaren will "protect" Piastri from busy Melbourne F1 schedule
Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points

F1 Formula 1
Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need "unorthodox" strategies to score points
Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

F1 Formula 1
Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term Sauber: Audi’s accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term
RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility

RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility

F1 Formula 1
McLaren Imola March testing
RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility RB sets end-of-2024 date for new Milton Keynes facility
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut

Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi F1 debut
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car

Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with F1 car
Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car

Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car Scheckter to sell 1979 title-winning Ferrari F1 car
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global