Mercedes-Benz's 2024 Formula 1 season was marked by ups and downs, with the iconic racing team reflecting on what could have been. Lewis Hamilton, after an impressive tenure with Mercedes, has announced his move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, yet remains deeply committed to the team’s diversity and inclusivity initiatives.
Throughout his years with Mercedes, Hamilton advocated for increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups within the motorsport industry. Shortly after his announcement, detailing the plans for his switch to Ferrari, Hamilton emphasized, "I think the thing I am most proud of, and what I leave behind, I hope this is in a positive way, is the work done with diversity and inclusion," as reported by RacingNews365. He expressed gratitude for his time at Mercedes and the advancements made toward building a more diverse team.
Despite the challenges faced on the track, Hamilton noted the personal satisfaction gained from his contributions off the track. He stated, "From the first moment sitting down with Toto [Wolff], him being open-minded... all team members going through diversity and inclusion training and creating diversity within the team. We did Ignite and they invested— we have a very diverse team now, which is something I am grateful to be a part of." Hamilton's words underline the importance of these changes, signaling his hope for continued progress even after his departure.
Looking back at the season, Mercedes struggled to maintain pace against competitors like Red Bull and McLaren. James Allison, the team's Technical Director, labeled the 2024 season "one of lost opportunity" due to the team's inconsistent performances. The start of the season was particularly bleak, with Mercedes often missing the competitive benchmarks set by their rivals. Allison expressed his disappointments, saying, "It’s been a right old roller coaster of extreme disappointment at the start of the year, followed by a sense of recovery... So it’s been a tough year." This roller coaster ride continued as the team secured three race wins mid-season but faced another decline post-summer, highlighting the inconsistency at the core of their performance issues.
Final results saw Mercedes finish fourth overall, with 468 points, trailing significantly behind champion McLaren and third-placed Red Bull. The fluctuations throughout the season were frustrating for the team, with Allison reflecting, "Watching other people earn and win championships... is no fun at all. So it’s been tough." Mercedes experimented with its setups, especially during the final rounds, including the last race where George Russell secured victory for the team at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, discussed the importance of balance moving forward. Winning at Vegas demonstrated the W15 car's strengths but highlighted the need for adaptation, especially as certain tracks presented more challenges than others. He noted, "We’ve been strong in Silverstone, we’ve been strong in Spa and then here in Las Vegas... It would be important to find balance for next year." This statement encapsulates the need for the team to reassess its strategy as they prepare for the next season.
Although Hamilton's departure marks the end of an era, his legacy at Mercedes—especially concerning diversity and inclusion—will be remembered and built upon. Mercedes aims to return to its former glory, revitalizing its push for championships. The road to recovery may be long, but with experienced leaders like Wolff and Allison at the helm, the team seems poised to make the necessary adjustments. Expect the 2025 season to showcase how Mercedes can leverage its past experiences to reclaim competitive success. With Hamilton's insights still echoed within the team, their commitment to not just winning races but fostering inclusivity should prove to be guiding principles as they face the future.