Mercedes weakness spotted despite major F1 dominance

Former F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer has pinpointed a weakness of Mercedes amid its strong position at the head of the pecking order.

The Brackley-based squad has won all three grands prix staged so far at the start of the sport's new era under fresh technical regulations.

However, with such vast changes introduced to the cars this year, other teams can take inspiration from Mercedes' approach as they seek to gain on front-runners.

According to Szafnauer, Mercedes' position leaves it in a vulnerable position as it puts pressure on to keep finding the next tool to unlock pace. 

“A significant difference for Mercedes is the rest of them can look at the Mercedes and say, ‘Aha! That’s what they’ve done to get to this level’,” Szafnauer told the High Performance Podcast.

“Mercedes can't look at anybody to say, ‘Aha! What do I do next?’

“They’ve got to creatively think of what's coming next to go faster, where everyone else can look and catch up quicker.

“The other [teams] who aren't there, you learn from Mercedes, or from Ferrari. That’s what Adrian Newey does walking around on the grid, every car, he's learning something, you shortcut that process.

“Mercedes, they're just out there and in 18 months’ time, that Mercedes will be much quicker.

“But they have nobody to look at to learn. You can look at the others and learn, but it's a harder job.”