Mercedes very close to exceeding budget cap in 2024

A turbulent 2024 season for Mercedes. From the start of the season, the team faced unexpected news: Lewis Hamilton, the star driver of the Brackley-based team with whom he won six titles, announced his departure for Ferrari in 2025. While the team worked behind the scenes to find him a replacement, concerns also loomed on the track with the threat of exceeding the budget allocated by the FIA.

Costly Accidents at Mercedes

Indeed, the increasing competitiveness throughout the season has forced some teams and some drivers to push their limits. A risky choice that nearly cost Mercedes dearly. Already close to the budget limit, especially due to Kimi Antonelli’s accident in Monza, the team was hit by another setback with George Russell’s accident during the second free practice session in Mexico. This incident was a real blow for the German team and its boss Toto Wolff as the entire chassis of the car had to be changed. “We were in serious trouble after Mexico. We couldn’t go back to the old aerodynamic specification because no spare parts were available. There was no more money, with the cost cap, to buy new ones,” stated the Austrian.

Unfortunately, another catastrophe occurred the following week in Austin. During the qualifications, Russell lost control of his W15 in the penultimate corner before crashing into the Tecpro barriers. Although the Briton managed to exit his single-seater without issue, the damage was done. For Toto Wolff, this series of accidents has heavily impacted their end of the season. « Accidents at the end of the season really put you in a difficult position. Kimi [Antonelli] in Monza, George [Russell] in Austin and Mexico. At one point, we only had one set of a certain type of wing. By the end of the year, we had to forgo some aerodynamic and mechanical improvements because there simply wasn’t enough money to produce the corresponding parts. »

Support always present for the budget ceiling

Compromises therefore had to be found within the German team, particularly in terms of development, with aerodynamic parts that were ultimately never fitted to the cars. Nevertheless, the Austrian remains a strong advocate of the budget cap, believing that it has allowed smaller teams to get closer to the front runners and forces each team to manage its finances effectively. « It’s definitely the right path. The cost cap has made teams sustainable and ensured that the sport remains competitive. Even smaller teams are making profits, which is a huge step forward for F1. It has made the teams profitable and our sport more sustainable. »

Despite the difficulties encountered, Mercedes still secured four victories this season (two for Russell and two for Hamilton). In 2025, they will welcome a new driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Can he lead Mercedes to the top? With regulations not changing much this season, Mercedes will definitely be one of the teams to watch.