Mercedes with its 7th consecutive constructors’ title breaks records

Since 2014, Mercedes hasn’t given in:

• 7 consecutive world champion titles
• 6 consecutive world driver champion titles (with a 7th to come during this 2020 season)
• 100 victories
• 146 podiums
• 53 one-twos

Certainly, these are just numbers, but they symbolize the undeniable domination of this team. The story of Mercedes is short but filled with success. By competing on multiple fronts in the 50s (F1, 24h of Le Mans), the German team achieved numerous victories but stopped racing in 1958 after Pierre Levegh’s accident, which caused the death of 82 people, including himself, at the 24h of Le Mans. Mercedes would become an engine supplier before being a full manufacturer, a choice full of commitment for a return to the elite in 2010 with a difficult start. However, time has proven them right with a rediscovered success.

After the acquisition of Brawn GP, Mercedes experienced a challenging return for three seasons with the Rosberg-Schumacher duo performing well but not yielding results: 15 podiums and 2 victories for this German tandem. However, performance is lacking, leading to the final retirement of Michael Schumacher, seven-time world champion.

In 2013, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton from McLaren provided new impetus. Mercedes emerged as a true title contender against Red Bull, finishing the season 2nd ahead of Ferrari. A season full of promise for the future. The transfer of the reigning team took place during this season. Ferrari, the historical team of this sport, couldn’t compete against this rise in power. A new era begins in the elite of motorsports.

The real advantage for Mercedes was the regulation change in 2014. Switching from naturally aspirated V8s to hybrid V6 Turbos, the team dominates its competitors. The team is at the forefront of technology, leaving nothing to its rivals. Constantly on the front line, Rosberg and Hamilton rack up poles, victories, and one-two finishes. This 2014 season will see Red Bull in second place in the championship, 300 points behind Mercedes. Hamilton wins the championship ahead of his teammate.

The quest for the championship title rages in the following years, leading to collisions, verbal jabs, battles on the track. Yet Mercedes remains stoic, on its course. It places its drivers in an infallible car, capable of anything, to let them fight among themselves. But it is also capable of harnessing them when the storm arises. A tough human management that aligns with high technology research. Performance above all.

At Rosberg’s departure in 2016, the reigning world champion, the tensions that existed among Mercedes drivers leave with him, and a new teammate arrives to support Hamilton. Bottas is clearly announced as the number 2 to help the Englishman in his quest for titles and records. The Briton will break the number of victories held by Schumacher with his 93rd victory achieved in Portimao and can, by the end of the year, equal his number of driver titles. A 2020 season rich in motorsport achievements for Hamilton.

Hamilton from behind, after the joy of the 7th Mercedes title

The Mercedes model is relentless: build an excellent single-seater, develop it, and prepare the next one. The same pattern since 2014, and it works. Today, the German team faces very few failures. Competitors are improving but are not at the same level. Such a performance gap is hard to close, and no team manages to do it. Only Red Bull manages to stay at a reasonable distance to challenge Hamilton or Bottas, but without convincing results.

Thanks to its partnerships, Mercedes has the means to invest heavily in its F1 division. Money is the lifeblood of this elite motorsport. The level of investment often determines competitiveness. Ferrari invested massively in the 2000s and won 6 consecutive titles.

Mercedes has every interest in being at the top. Motorsport is a tremendous showcase for the German group and can help in selling vehicles to individuals. Cutting-edge technology, a good engine, reliability—these are all arguments that highlight the Woking-based firm. The work of engineers in Formula 1 is felt in production models in terms of consumption, reliability, lifespan…

The F1 teams with the most consecutive titles: