The Rise & Fall of an Empire

[@richardf.4023]

They at least tried a different approach with the W13. But seeing it fail, trying it again only to see it fail again was stupid. Now they have the right concept but they are 2 years behind...

[@GloomGaiGar]

The "right" concept that they still have zero understanding of and requiring seemingly random huge setup changes between sessions to find that tiny atom of pace. If that's their idea of a "right" concept then they are well and truly f*cked.

[@sleqit]

I want to say that the w14 was a pretty competitive car. And it looks like the concept could be completed, since at the end of 2023 Mercedes was the second car in Peliton. W15 fast now Canada🇨🇦 GP

[@-._.-._.-Sully-._.-._.-]

Honestly I think they should’ve stuck with the zero pod design and put the anti-dive suspension from the W15 on it as well as focus on improving the floor. The side pods were never really their issue as they had spent so much time working around the inherent compromises the design brought with it. The new minimum ride height regulation brought on 2023 really hurt that design though and they would’ve been better off just finding a solution their porpoising (which they did but it was too late). That car showed immense pace if they were able to run it low enough.

[@coopersieb1391]

i dont think they have the right concept. The w14 was way more competitive than the W15 is and the current red bull is very similar to the old W14

[@manuelie]

I don’t fully think that it was stupid event losing i was happy to see us fight for the 2 and 3 places and being the only team in a different path Like it’s an engineering world and they did innovate that’s the point of the sports, to bad they didn’t develop it more they could have found the flaws and find the solutions

[@ilnoct]

everything has to come to an end. everything besides Fernando Alonso

[@MelissaCruz23]

This.is.life.

[@TheBiologicalGamer]

fernando rookie of the year

[@Okuni_]

well.....

[@mineralwater6736]

Alonso is washed and overrated AF.

[@306_cstm]

Mercedes' default strategy was always to just have lewis run long on the hardest tire. It was the safest lowest risk strategy for a car that had such a crazy pace advantage. Meanwhile in 2014-2020 you had red bull who would usually roll the dice on strategy, opting to go aggressive to maybe snatch a win away from mercedes here and there. Then come 2021 when red bull finally found some pace in their car, mercedes was caught with their pants down. High risk was just simply not in their vocabulary. The US grand prix that year was a prime example of red bull out-strategy-ing mercedes with a car that wasn't as fast.

[@berkhanogulcanakcay7336]

We saw that in Abu Dhabi 2021 as well. Merc team didn’t pit Lewis during the last VSC, although they had the opportunity to keep track position even if Max didn’t pit. The gap was I think 18secs where you only lost 14secs under a VSC pit stop.

[@306_cstm]

@sidharthtirkey44 they traded punches all season long. Mercedes had better race pace at the USGP but red bull was able to get them on race strategy.

[@berkhanogulcanakcay7336]

​@sidharthtirkey44 Well, no. The track had been cleared by lap 56 of 58, indicating it was safe to resume racing. However, a decision was made to delay the restart until lap 57. The FIA had to say something for the issue, so they ran Michael Masi under the bus and said he did a human error, and fired him. The controversial aspect arose when it was initially decided that lapped cars would not be allowed to overtake, which was later reversed. However, due to the limited time remaining before the restart, only the cars between the race leaders were permitted to overtake. This decision led to further debate. The initial decision not to allow lapped cars to overtake was the primary point of contention and to me that was the "human error". This decision caused controversy and required a reversal, resulting in further complications and time lost before the race restart. However, the only thing that matters here is Mercedes' lack of strategic calls all season long, and their strategy problems surfaced when there's a rival with a fast car. Before 2021, they never had stiff competition for years in the hybrid era. Once a rival comes with a quick car, their pit wall was obliterated. The decision not calling Hamilton to the pits under VSC was the decision that cost Hamilton the world championship.

[@Mattoropael]

Mercedes strategy calls during the AD2021 race were simply disastrous. 1. They decided to cover off Verstappen's potential undercut... despite Hamilton having superior pace on a harder compound (VER started on soft, HAM on medium). This unnecessary early stop not only destroyed Hamilton's tire advantage, it also gave Red Bull the opportunity to hold up Hamilton with Perez for as long as possible... which very likely played a factor in their second disastrous call: 2. They opted not to pit under VSC, leaving Hamilton on increasingly dangerously old hards despite having all the pace in the world to safely pit. (But they were correct in not pitting under the real SC introduced by Latifi, it would be pure insanity to give up track position at that point when finishing under SC was the most likely outcome) Did they get screwed by Masi at the end with the SC? Yes. Would Masi's poor handling of that SC really matter if Mercedes didn't screw up their strategy calls so badly up until that point? No.

[@gelmir7322]

Mercedes strategy - be conservative and play it safe, and let the rival shot themselves on the foot somehow, something that works really well against Ferrari but blew on Mercedes faces when they fought against Red Bull as Mercedes were the ones who were shooting themselves in the foot with their drivers mistakes and bad strategy calls. Also Red Bull had been cooking a championship caliber team for year, they were only just waiting for a competitive car (and a proper team mate for Max) . - write off races where they were weak (Baku, Monaco), but ensure that Hamilton would maximize in the points, this was why they sacrificed Bottas in Baku to give Lewis a better quali, too bad for them as it ended catastrophically when Lewis cooked his brakes, during the restart. - Use the double prong Lewis and Bottas attack to keep Max in-check - it worked until Spain, but when Perez got his grooves, Red Bull gave them a taste of their own medicine starting in France. - Get the pole and dominate the race via clean air advantage while keeping Max at bay using the car's dirty air, - didn't work much because Max always fought tooth and nails with his first corner lunges to take the lead and disrupt Mercedes advantages, while Lewis tried to play it safe. - boost up their engine at the late stage of the season - worked for the most part except in last race.

[@KainedbutAble123]

A super detailed history, really glad I found your account!

[@Bahamuttiamat]

missed some points but overall fairly accurate.

[@jaden4833]

I regretted I watched. Not depth at all tbh.

[@MrEo89]

I think it’s also important to mention how the FIA nerfed the rear floor of the 2021 package that hurt the merc more than any other manufacturer. That’s what allowed RB to close up and put verstappen right.on.their.ass. IYKYK.

[@gelmir7322]

It was Pirelli who pushed that change because the ridiculous downforce of the cars was straining the tyres considerably. And FIA acted on it because of the safery concern. Nobody really knew who will be affected by it. Many experts pointed out that Red Bull with their high rake design would suffer the most. And Red Bull themselves anticipated such affect that they started early trying to resolve the potential problems. Also considering how Mercedes won the 3 of the first four races (Lewis could have won in Imola too if it weren't for him making a mistake - and it was a very dominant recovery by the way) goes to show that effects of the floor change was marginal. The problem for Mercedes back then was they became complacent, forfeiting to developed the car and decided to focus on 2022 car, while Red Bull brought upgrades whenever they can.

[@southerncomfort1339]

Bro the FIA are very smart! They knew if they took a chunk out of the Floor it can't be fixed over 1 season!! The maFIA didn't want SLH too overtake Shumi 7WDC!! It's obvious!! MADMAX should have gotten sooo many 5sec penalties for "Driving SLH" off the track!! Especially in those last few races!! The BRAKE CHECK was very atrocious!!!!! MADMAX plan of "Intimidating" Mercedes work to perfection since SLH was really afraid to drive "RUDE" like MADMAX!!! In Adu Dubai 2021 Mercedes should have NEVER cover MADMAX in than first pit stop!! SLH should have stayed out for another 10 or so laps!! But they were afraid to put SLH behind MADMAX!!

[@defnotatroll]

@@gelmir7322 i remember that. the engineering side of f1 is so complex and us spectators are mere casuals

[@adamn7125]

​@@gelmir7322The effects weren't marginal teams lost 1.5 seconds from 2020 to 21

[@gelmir7322]

@@adamn7125 if you understand the context of statement, i am implying that the effects of the floor cut to Mercedes relative to the overall competition and performance ranking was marginal. As Mercedes still were the top team at the start of the season, winning 3 of the first 4 races, and the one that they didn't win was primarily due to Lewis' mistake not because the competition was close His recovery in Imola was so dominant coming from the far back that no teams managed to hold him back.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Extremely well done video. Glad it was recommended and you earned my sub bud!!!!

[@DonLee1980]

I couldn’t care less to see Mercedes win again. What about Williams? McLaren? Aston? Sauber?

[@TariqHlayel]

Can’t wait to see what Audi does when they take over sauber

[@flintey360]

You clearly like mid loser

[@JoonaKorri]

This video is for mercedes so shut up

[@JoonaKorri]

I would

[@Jean.P.Cartier]

Mercedes is so bad both customers team is beating it as a McLaren fan is a breath of fresh air

[@f1o18iwi9]

glad to see this channel grow. cheers bro, nice videos :)

[@andrewfayi9448]

It’s sad but if they hire me I can bring them back! I’ve proven it in f1 manager 23 and cannot wait to do it in f1 manager 24:))))

[@YouTube2021FM]

Ferrari is doing well because they have the strongest engine - Ferrari’s expertise has never been overwhelmingly aero

[@emilianopapagna9616]

Ferrari had great chassis in 2018 and 2019, hell, even the 2020 chassis was good but held back by the shittiest Ferrari engine in decades.

[@flyingproofficial]

This aged like milk

[@Jay_The_Cat]

You summed it up pretty well, Jonny. 💪 However, I would stop short of saying this is Mercedes' downfall - at least for the moment. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say this is just the natural ebb and flow of the sport. I highly doubt Big Toto would let the team slip in the same manner Williams did, with facilities 20 years out of date, etc. 💀

[@osvaldomedina2577]

I'm a fan of engines for decades... your channel is very, very good, congratulations, fantastic video, excellent technical information

[@defnotatroll]

I'm not writing them off just yet, as a ferrari fan I watched them repeatedly bounce back from setbacks and it taught me to fear them. They are still a great team and they will be back winning soon

[@watermelonbanana1772]

Exactly, people are too reactionary. I mean even Red Bull were producing some mediocre cars at the start of the v6 era, and look at them now, they are back dominating just as they were back in the 2010s

[@akhiarr]

so much underrated as a f1 channel.... you got yourself a proper sub from me...

[@ichtus101]

Great explanation! Really makes the ''downfall'' easy to understand.

[@GooseTG98]

Oh I wanted it to end, and I’m glad it’s my favorite manufacturer that came out on top! #Honda

[@GloomGaiGar]

So you're absolutely not bored yet and celebrate every win like the 2021 championship?

[@GooseTG98]

@@GloomGaiGar Of course I’m bored. However I’d rather be bored watching Honda win than bored watching Mercedes win.

[@pocoloco-sr1cu]

​@@GloomGaiGar He waited 2014-2021 to see Mercedes stop winning the constructor's title year after year while winning more than 70% of the races. Let him be

[@Real_Shawn]

​@@GooseTG98get lost

[@YLFNFB]

Well the "small company" PETRONAS was and still headquartered in THE tallest twin tower in the world, and PETRONAS joined F1 waaaaay back, sponsoring Sauber alongside Red Bull

[@sabeelmusic2093]

that was sarcastic pretty sure

[@shadeburst]

3:03 Switzerland banned circuit racing only. Hillclimb and autotest are well active in Switzerland. The circuit racing ban has been lifted to allow eracing.

[@mh98177]

The only thing I think he missed was that Mercedes didn’t ignore the 2013 car for the 2014 car. They spent a mountain of money starting as early as 2010 on the engine. Bernie Ecclestone estimates spent between 600 and 700 million to develop that engine. They already had a pretty aerodynamic foundation and that engine sent them over the top. I would also say that they have more success than he implied in the late V8 era. They were second in the championship behind an all conquering Red Bull. Getting ahead of Ferrari and McLaren in that era was no small feat.

[@rin4566]

I don’t know if you know about donut media, but you have a vibe similar to Up To Speed except less jokes and straight history, keep it up man this is great 🔥

[@samkelo27]

The jokes on donut are really hit or miss imo

[@harry4454]

@@samkelo27love donut watch all their videos

[@hihihi922]

You earned a sub with your knowledge of the engineering and cars. Better than your average F1 KZbinr with the same generic commentary

[@44fasterthanyou]

At least they’re the most profitable team. That’s what Horner said they are more focused on marketing than technical.

[@SchweinerSchinkler]

Funny coming from horner 😂. Red bull is basically one big marketing company lol

[@ThePadi94]

Now they are finally back.

[@gafowaty671]

4:28 that was not first time in brand's history. Fangio even won title in mercedes back in the 50's

[@udithaumesh]

Amazing video! Nice production and story telling. I subscribed!

[@kevinmohan4008]

Red bull fan here 😮😊

[@Aquatoy]

Bro. Great video. A very different and analytical perspective as to why Mercedes are behind. Thank you!

[@NicotineRosberg]

Earned a sub bud. Nice to hear an American that doesn't make me cringe And u basically said what every fan with a brain knows. All facts. I

[@SlimSavageBlanco]

I speak for all Americans when I say 🖕. Have a great day.

[@xxepic_gamer69xx36]

As a fan of both F1 and American sports (Basketball, football) stuff like this happens a lot, I am definitely not a fan of Mercedes but I wouldn’t mind seeing them comeback especially in the post-Hamilton time period

[@snake5305]

I laughed when Russell said in one week: "we know where the problem is with the lack of downforce," and then in the next week said: "we know where the problem is with the bouncing." Well, Georgey boy, the bouncing is caused by the massive downforce. So, basically, you said that you have no idea where the problem is.

[@Kieran_OPC]

Finally someone said it! Red Bull had the best chassis of the 2010s hands down and it remains that way to this day.

[@SlimSavageBlanco]

Chassis excite you thar much, huh? Whatever floats your boat.

[@MyteeT]

this guy yaps a lot. good yapping, 10/10

[@lorenzo_1096]

Its also important to point out that Redbull is now using the “zero side pod concept” and it’s working with no issues whatsoever, yeah sure by the time im commenting this they lost 2 races, but neither of them was because of a “bad car” it was just an engine problem and a damaged floor, its crazy how Redbull got their concept right on the first try. Everyone tried to “follow redbull” in this 2024 season, you can tell by how similar the cars of other teams are with redbull last year, but they showed us something completely different thats its WORKING, realistically speaking I don’t think RBR will lose their trone until 2026, fights with Ferrari and McLaren might get close but not close enough for us to see them losing.

[@L47M]

*Bro Really Knows His F1 Stuff..* That's For Sure. 🏁🏁 *Great Video !!* 💯

[@soleneptune9498]

Sameeeee I wanted redbull to win so bad now I’m waiting for Ferrari or McLaren 😭😭😭😭😭

[@44fasterthanyou]

Your wish will come true 🔜.

[@hyundongcho4328]

great content! earned a sub!

[@matteo4413]

Subscribed, great video!

[@singular9]

The funny thing is that the zero pod W13 was the right way to go the whole time. Seeing where aero development is moving on the RB/Ferrari side 2 years later, mercedes had the best upper aero, but they had no idea how to make a suspension and floor. When the W13 got its new floor, it was really, really fast, but only on smooth tracks. So in the W15 the chassis is all new, using the upgraded w13 floor, with w14 sidepods. They had it right, they simply didn't have the engineers to fix it. The design wasn't ridiculous, it was just ahead of its time. In 2026, watch RB of Ferrari bring a zero pod car. They will. You heard it here first.

[@efmids]

a really good video mate

[@kwesimctaire3783]

Dude the main issue with merc is there aero. They always depend on their powerful engine so they never fully focus on aero. That is what is killing them.

[@defnotatroll]

then why werent their customers winning titles and races when they were dominating

[@markvanwyk3601]

All bad things must come to an end.

[@jimbiddle8646]

Really having second thoughts about buying another Mercedes.

[@Icy_Cream94]

Dude, do a video on what happened to Alpine/Renault, they always had been a solid mid-front team, and now they are just fighting on the back with Sauber and Haas. There's also rumours about them leaving F1.

[@GloomGaiGar]

Simple. They are French or more accurately owned by the French government.

[@Spido68_the_spectator]

​​@@GloomGaiGarImpatient leadership in Alpine or the Renault group overall. Nothing to do with the government or being french. Jean Todt directed Ferrari through its most glorious era and he was french. Red Bull won the early 2010s with Renault engines. Renault won 2005 and 2006 hands down, yet lead by... an italian !

[@stancurares7222]

This was legitimately the best video on this topic I have ever watched, big up!!

[@nickysixx2480]

Wait until 2026. Engine development is the key for total domination

[@joakimjeppsson1443]

Whenever Merc had an upgrade that didn't work they just spent more money to make sure there was an improvement, no matter the cost. Now with a cost cap they can't do that anymore and one can see their wind tunnel, "super computers" etc were not as good as they had imagined

[@YouTube2021FM]

Merc’s power advantage has nothing to do with the new fuels - Honda and Ferrari just caught up to the Merc engine… and the 2014-16 engine token system locked them in.

[@legendaxicad._]

They are coming back though, not for the crown, but to honor a KING! Lewis Frickin Hamilton (yes, of course I am still upset of 2021 and those stupid decisions, plus the winless seasons)

[@incog30]

This is why I gave up on f1. It went from one winner all the time to one winner all the time.

[@tylerfaubert1201]

It’s soo sad seeing Mercedes fall from being the best team to now 2nd of out all 3 teams on the grid 😢

[@Car.V1]

15:53 🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@Athrun82]

Mercedes sounds like they did take the old strategy from Mclaren's glory days (1988-1991): a decent chassis, a powerful engine and the best drivers they could find. Then Honda left in 1993, Senna left in 1994, they took Peugeot for 1 year before switching to Mercedes and they hired Newey in 1997. It always comes and goes.

[@Mahathir_Idongesit]

PETRONAS is already a big company in ,09. Its own by the government of Malaysia

[@a.bax.5992]

The issue with MERCEDES W15 and W14 is evident in W13. The car that bounced the most! The car bounced so hard because it had the most aggressive floor, it was generating so much downforce that caused it to bottom-out, reset...bottom out again AKA proposing. And what did they do to fix that? Instead of relaxing the floor design they stiffened the suspension and raised the car. And what did that do? That made it slow in the high speed corners where the micro-bumps in the road can't be absorbed by the now stiff suspension. So the car wanted to bounce off the road while in the corner. That led to a less aggressive driver engagement of the corner. Red bull on the other hand went with a less aggressive floor, softer suspension. They had more mechanical grip which Mercedes tried to match up to with their wings (rear and front) which only led to a more draggy car. I'm sorry but after 3 years I'm surprised they haven't figured this simple sheeet out as yet. LMAO. It literally isn't rocket science.

[@disgruntleddev]

I just got into F1 and I’m having your feeling of Lewis and Mercedes with Max and Red Bull right now. 😂

[@jathiyakhan720]

Tbh i think they will one day dominate again like red bull however they are also gonna go through a Down period like redbull

[@aimaniskandar476]

4:17 Sponsor from a "small little" company called Petronas 🗿

[@mohammadghasemi2649]

we r back baby XD

[@KHoff77]

Will not get tired of max domination for another 4 years.

[@GloomGaiGar]

lol even Max is bored of it

[@LuisTrey]

Good thing his domination won’t last for much longer. By the looks of it Ferrari and McLaren are catching up…

[@danielan6159]

A lot of what he said just isn’t true. It was just a dominant car in clear air being able to take full advantage of the aero changes.

[@mh98177]

When you see their performance in Singapore even in 2015 you could really see Mercedes weak spots and it was clear they were vulnerable.

[@KampongKabai]

Petronas is equal to Aramco in Malasyia since 90s

[@RIKDDY]

I started when vettel and red bull dominated. It sucked watching the psuedo renault works team squirt away within the first 2 laps and the race was done. I was glad watching mercedes dominate the new era. Pity Honda couldn't join in to compete early on the 1st 7 years 2014-2020. This red bull domination is horrid. Worse than the Vettel years. They have no competition. The Honda engine is unbeatable. Newey's aero is wizardry.

[@FRMLA_H]

The Zeropod concept was not wrong. Its where every simulation will inevitably lead you. It what many teams are realizing currently, but they've been scared off. Mercedes simply put the Cart before the Horse. Thier chassis was nowhere near good enough for they wanted to achieve. And they dont understand ground effect, it seems.

[@psycho479]

2:20 Crazy

[@0megalul309]

i wonder if mercedes focused more on the 2022 car instead of trying to soothe lewis' ego by getting masi fired, things might have been different.

[@treytonlandplayz3151]

They could come back though.. And even as a McLaren fan, I want them to. I need someone to challenge Red Bull

[@w1llyboi248]

Same bro

[@GloomGaiGar]

You don't want the team you support to challenge Red Bull? ok

[@ZephyrCorsa]

A freak accident caused by the negligence of other drivers isn't worth canceling or leaving motorsports.

[@skittlesindadum1625]

Well this video aged like milk 🥛 Montreal they had arguably the fastest car

[@tcfan008]

Great video

[@nialljdoherty]

Mercedes had a great chassis and aero2014 -2022 look at Williams in the same period they had a Mercedes engine

[@bentacc9217]

mercedes going from titlefghter to midfielder Roushfenway Racing: First Time?

[@Giratina575]

Just laughing a bit at all the fake fans being exposed. Glad to have folks like you exposing them.

[@Leon-vx7oe]

At least they have the nicest Livery in my opinion

[@dragokk2034]

Ferrari fan here 😍

[@Nut.1711]

Well, when an empire falls another one rises

[@TRC98]

The simple answer is Merc cant spend twice as much as their rivals anymore. Their glory days are gone, and they're never coming back (thank christ)

[@snake5305]

"My team don't make mistakes." Lewis Hamilton 2022

[@marlonwhitehead6031]

Aston Martin and McLaren are replacing Mercedes and red bull

[@damarcoreed1367]

Any general domination is annoying

[@implyingishygddt9312]

thank you

[@Jackscin]

Why is the budget cap less than the budget of most Marvel movies lol.

[@Maky-vo7qs]

What if mercedes just copy the W11 aero minus the sticky uppy bits? atleast they have a benchmark to improve their car.

[@Undivided-X]

Mercedes returned in 1993 I think, not 1994.

[@rocketman1058]

It the case of best machine vs best driver. I don't mind the best driver to win ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. PS, I remember max's first win in 16, I knew this era would come, I'm partially happy, I've always said max would get 8 titles. So I'm waiting for that day

[@kenxiong6830]

Still waiting on BMW to make its return to F1

[@JamesMiller-lb3sk]

Good thing can't last forever

[@z4yn_12]

As a mercedes fan I hope merc leaves f1 and becomes just an engine supplier, teams like Andretti are way more prepared to handle f1 and they can't do that because a certain german hypocritical manufacturer is holding them up

[@MuhammadNiz007]

There problem started when they lost James allision who let's not forget is more successful than Adrian Newey. Although James is back; you can't really expect him to turn around the car so quickly especially because they are stuck with a fundamental disadvantage of 2 years. People are quick to forget this but it took Adrian newye to make 2 red bull's before they had 2009 and than also it took Adrian 4 mid level of cars from 2017-20 to be back.

[@asur7]

Anita Maxx Wynn

[@brzk_]

also the engine advantage seemed to dissapear in 2022 because of the draggyness (is that a word?) of the car. the red bull especially ist just able to go faster in a straight line, even if you would put a mercedes engine in that car it would win

[@aspect359]

Yeah that's what he told about aero

[@GloomGaiGar]

It also disappeared because of the engine freeze

[@drwgalabuschagne3287]

If anyone jumped in Max's current car they would win...

[@quigglyz]

tell that to checo

[@Dennis-ff2pf]

If you are always chasing stop remembe less is more .

[@GWFires]

Yup lets forget that Mercedes tried to takeover Mclaren. Again and again.

[@abhishekdixit8720]

2:19 WTF!

[@8tonystark8]

Such a shame they got that lucky win in 2022

[@janbalicki4048]

Very glad that Mercedes has fallen. They destroyed the sport and used stewards to their advantage. Not missing them at all.

[@TA-rq8ki]

lock in 9:22