Mercedes technical chief questioned on 2024 Red Bull copy rumours

In the midst of speculation that Mercedes’ W15 might adopt a design concept more akin to Red Bull’s, James Allison dismisses any direct correlation, emphasizing that the concept is unrelated to the car itself. The divergence in car designs between Mercedes and Red Bull during the Bahrain Grand Prix in March 2022 was evident, with Red Bull’s RB18 dominating the season. Despite Mercedes’ switch to a Red Bull-esque look with the upgraded W15, it failed to secure a single victory.

Amidst suggestions of a potential convergence in car designs in 2024, Mercedes’ technical director, Allison, provides a non-committal response, stating that the concept, in F1 terms, revolves around a methodological approach to determining performance elements rather than a direct blueprint for the car. He highlights adjustments made in the past two years to their approach and methodology, resulting in different hardware.

Allison’s reluctance to confirm the influence of Red Bull on the W15 aligns with Lewis Hamilton’s recent comments cautioning against outright copying, citing Aston Martin’s experience. Drawing parallels with Aston Martin’s attempt to replicate a car, Hamilton emphasizes the complexities involved and the need for a nuanced approach to incorporate successful elements through trial and error.

Despite Mercedes finishing second in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, staying ahead of Ferrari by a narrow margin, the challenges of consistently improving performance are underscored in the pursuit of closing a substantial performance gap.