The Mercedes AMG Petronas F-1 Team has had its fair share of ups and downs this season.
It started off slow for the two-car operation led by Team Principal Toto Wolff, as it wasn’t until the ninth race of the season, the Canadian Grand Prix, where the team earned its first podium finish of the season (third) at the hands of George Russell.
However, an uptick in performance from both Russell and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton saw the once near unstoppable F-1 team find the top step of the podium again with Russell at the Austrian Grand Prix and Hamilton a week later at the British Grand Prix.
Another victory for Hamilton came at the expense of Russell in the Belgian Grand Prix in July, as Russell was disqualified, allowing Hamilton to inherit the winner’s trophy.
Since the team’s early summer surge, Mercedes has only finished on the podium once in the last four races (third, Russell at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix).
While it may be a cause for concern, Wolff believes car updates for the final stretch, including this weekend’s U.S. Grand Prix at Texas’ Circuit of The Americas, could be the difference maker in finishing out the final six races strong.
“We bring our final update package of the season to Texas and our aim is to close the gap to the front,” Wolff said.
“It will also provide useful information that will help guide our development direction for 2025.”
Hamilton, in his final year with Mercedes before departing for Scuderia Ferrari next season, leads the way for the team in the standings (sixth) with Russell behind him in seventh.
Mercedes is fourth in the constructor’s standings, behind Ferrari, Oracle Red Bull Racing and McLaren.
“Although we are not in contention for the championships, there is still plenty to fight for and the opportunity to create a few highlights along the way,” Wolff said.
“We want to end this year as strongly as possible, build momentum for 2025 and bid farewell to Lewis in the best way possible.”
The team has five wins at COTA — more than any other constructor with Hamilton claiming four of the five.