Mercedes Lost Two Titans Of Aerodynamics... To Red Bull And Aston Martin
Mercedes had been the invincible giant of the Formula 1 circuit, clinching an unprecedented eight constructors' championships in a row since the dawn of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014. The Silver Arrows' star driver, Lewis Hamilton, shattered every record in the sport during this period, amassing seven world titles with his extraordinary skill and nerve.
But their unchallenged reign came to a shuddering halt with the 2022 regulation changes, sending Mercedes hurtling down the standings. Their car was reduced to the third-fastest in the last season, while Hamilton experienced a nightmare of a season, failing to win even a single race for the first time in his illustrious career. Team principal Toto Wolff is renowned for his frankness and integrity, and he never makes excuses for his team's poor showings. However, according to an AMuS report, the loss of two of their star engineers, Eric Blandin and Enrico Balbo, has dealt a severe blow to Mercedes.
Blandin and Balbo were the titans of Mercedes' aero department, two of the finest minds in the field. It's a bitter pill for Mercedes to swallow that these stalwarts have defected, with Blandin now working with Aston Martin, and Balbo signing up with Red Bull... surprised?
Both of these teams have started the season in excellent form, while Mercedes is mired in a quagmire of despair, struggling to stay competitive. The German team is clearly reeling from the absence of these heavyweights, as their performance on the track is woefully subpar.