Toto Wolff has conceded that Mercedes failed to properly adapt to Formula 1’s ground-effect regulations, introduced in 2022, which ended their near-decade of dominance. The team has struggled to return to championship-winning form since the aerodynamic overhaul.### Why it mattersUnlike the 2014 rule reset, where Mercedes gained a significant power unit advantage, the team has been unable to replicate that success in the current ground-effect era. This admission highlights the core challenge Mercedes has faced in a crucial regulatory period.### The big picture* Initial Misstep: Mercedes first tackled the aero changes with a radical zero-sidepod design, which, coupled with its overall concept, led to severe porpoising and mechanical issues throughout the 2022 season.* Design Shift: By early 2023, the team recognized the design wasn't viable, introducing a more conventional W14 in Monaco. While a turning point, results remained subdued.* Wolff's View: "I think we simply couldn't adapt to this rule system properly," Wolff told Formula.hu. "We were at a disadvantage right from the start, and then it's terribly difficult to catch up against such great opponents."### Bright spotsDespite the overall struggle, Mercedes has shown flashes of competitiveness. Wolff pointed to strong performances as proof of their underlying capability:* Lewis Hamilton's last win at the British Grand Prix (2022).* Dominant weekends in Spa and Las Vegas (2023).* A "winning car" in Montreal this year (2024).However, results have been inconsistent, leaving Mercedes third in the Constructors' standings with 236 points, trailing McLaren and Ferrari.### What's nextMercedes is heavily investing in its 2026 car-and-engine package for the next regulation changes. Wolff emphasized that the current season still offers valuable learning opportunities: "I believe that there is always something to learn and optimize in the operational area. Cost management will also be more efficient." The challenge is to maximize current performance while preparing for the next F1 revolution.
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