Toto Wolff has revealed Mercedes have been “very shut” to breaching F1’s value cap following a crash-strewn finish to the 2024 season.
Three main crashes through the again finish of the 2024 season put a pressure on Mercedes as a consequence of a scarcity of spare elements.
Kimi Antonelli’s crash at Monza and two George Russell crashes later within the season put Mercedes in a predicament.
Russell was compelled to run a ‘Miami-spec’ flooring in Mexico following his crash in Friday follow.
Not solely did it influence Mercedes’ on-track efficiency, nevertheless it additionally left them in a tough monetary place.
Wolff confirmed that it had important implications for his or her monetary spending for the yr.
“Very shut. You possibly can’t construct up a giant egg nest,” Wolff instructed AMuS. “It’s extra the case that you just overshoot in the beginning of the yr after which begin to save.
“On the finish of the yr, we needed to do with out some upgrades in aerodynamics and mechanics as a result of there was merely no cash left to supply the corresponding elements.
“The accidents on the finish of the season actually get you into bother. Kimi [Antonelli] in Monza, George [Russell] in Austin and Mexico. At one level we solely had one set of a sure kind of wing.
“In Mexico we couldn’t return to the outdated aero specification as a result of there have been no spares obtainable. There was no cash left inside the associated fee restrict for brand spanking new ones.”
A brand new chapter for Mercedes in 2025
Mercedes go into 2025 with out Lewis Hamilton in certainly one of their vehicles.
As a substitute, 18-year-old wonderkid Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his F1 debut for the workforce alongside Russell.
Mercedes have struggled to become familiar with F1’s present rules within the ‘floor impact period’.
Whereas Mercedes took 4 wins final yr, they have been miles off the tempo in comparison with the highest three within the standings.
Mercedes have lacked consistency, typically left scratching their heads amid their diversified efficiency ranges.
