Team Mercedes: Will they ever dominate again?

**Adam43** · 12 Apr 2019, 02:45 (Ref:3896926)

They’ve won the first two races, but were pummelled in pre-season testing and lucked into the last race win. It looks all over. Is it just a matter of time before we have a Williams or McLaren style thread so I hought I’d get in there (hence the silly thread title).

Lewis will retire. New regs. Ferrari and their new challenger are here. Honda will come good and deliver baby Verstappen the car he needs. End of a dynasty (just like the Patriots?)?

**Adam43** · 12 Apr 2019, 02:50 (Ref:3896927)

Hamilton and Bottas are quickest in the current practice session, but that means nothing

**GTRMagic** · 12 Apr 2019, 02:52 (Ref:3896928)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

Hamilton and Bottas are quickest in the current practice session, but that means nothing

Everyone else is clearly sandbagging just to flatter the Benzes...

wnut · 12 Apr 2019, 10:13 (Ref:3896974)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Everyone else is clearly sandbagging just to flatter the Benzes...

Amazing the lengths Williams have gone to!

Graz · 12 Apr 2019, 10:27 (Ref:3896978)

2 races, 2 1-2's. Yep, their dominance is slipping alright.

Greem · 12 Apr 2019, 12:26 (Ref:3896995)

Well now Adam, you've only gone and done an inverse Betteridge.

chillibowl · 12 Apr 2019, 16:26 (Ref:3897034)

certainly things change and no one ever stays dominant forever so i see this period coming to an end. 5-6 year periods seem to be the norm or was for RB and Ferrari before them.

will they dominate again?

personally i hope the cost cutting/budget cap systems works and leads to a more competitive era where no one team dominates.

that said the Patriots are an interesting reference as they have created a dynasty during a period of salary caps and league parity, equalization of league revenues etc - making what the Pats do much more impressive.

but maybe bigger question is do Merc still fund/prioritize their F1 program at a maximum level after LH retires?

and at some point you think their budget priorities will shift to FE?

so another question is if there will be any point (mass marketing/mainstream/advanced technology) in dominating F1 in the mid to long term future?

**Aysedasi** · 12 Apr 2019, 17:30 (Ref:3897052)

Adam, I think you're just bored.......

Armco Bender · 12 Apr 2019, 18:40 (Ref:3897069)

Are we talking about Mistress Mercedes the dominatrix at the House of Whips and Chains returning to work?.....if so I have a friend who may be interested in a one hour session.

djinvicta · 12 Apr 2019, 19:19 (Ref:3897078)

Armco: Your'e dreaming again. Back to your sheep/three word story thread mate..

S griffin · 12 Apr 2019, 20:41 (Ref:3897091)

I think only the Harlem Globetrotters have continued to stay dominate for so long

Merc though now have a real threat in Ferrari, but still that could all change as the season goes on

crmalcolm · 12 Apr 2019, 20:56 (Ref:3897095)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

I think only the Harlem Globetrotters have continued to stay dominate for so long

Eh? What have they ever dominated? The only trophy they ever won was in 1940!

S griffin · 12 Apr 2019, 20:58 (Ref:3897096)

Never heard of basketball?

**Aysedasi** · 12 Apr 2019, 21:02 (Ref:3897099)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Never heard of basketball?

They're an exhibition team. The Globetrotters won the World Professional Basketball Tournament once, in 1940.

crmalcolm · 12 Apr 2019, 21:35 (Ref:3897103)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Never heard of basketball?

I've heard of it.

Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs are the 3 teams with the best claims of 'dominating'. Globetrotters' results are about the same level as the McMahon family's dominance of WWE!

**Adam43** · 13 Apr 2019, 02:26 (Ref:3897130)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greem

Well now Adam, you've only gone and done an inverse Betteridge.

Brilliant

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Never heard of basketball?

Go Virginia!

Tourer · 13 Apr 2019, 03:51 (Ref:3897145)

This has been considered before.

Initially, during the early years of the 20th century, when the Blitzen Benz was such an outstanding performer but then the result of WW1 ended the domination, serious chaps sat around low tables in their darkly-upholstered clubs, considered this and other matters of import whilst their moustaches were waxed and their hair brilliantined but they couldn't come up with a definitive answer however they felt that Versailles might put paid to the domination.

Then in the late 30s, serious chaps met initially over tea and cakes and muttered through their stiff upper lips about those bloody silver arrows but WW2 and rationing meant that there was more concern about other weapons than the silver arrows, bread and water replaced tea & cakes, lips became so stiff hardly a sound was made and then the result of the 2nd go-round stopped the domination for the foreseeable future.

Then in the mid 50s, enthusiastic but serious amateurs wondered about the potential for Mercedes domination again after the 1955 Le Mans tragedy and the Daimler-Benz withdrawal from motorsport - the 1966 World Cup result came at a good time to remind those German chappies that domination could be hard to achieve again.

Then of course Mercedes had a crack with a full factory sports prototype team cunningly disguised as a Swiss independent in the late 80s / early 90s until results looked a little stronger and the cars became silver arrows again - but although results were good, dominance didn't rear its head again, leading many a carefree, lager-drinking type to agree that Mercedes domination wouldn't happen again - then England won the Rugby World Cup and any thought of domination ended.

Now of course in the 21st century we've had "Mercedes" domination but have we really? Those clever Swabians merely bought a successful team in the UK, then bought a successful engine builder in the UK, threw in a top-shelf crew from all around the world, blended it all together and Voila - some "Mercedes" domination. With Brexit (maybe) around the corner, based on a bit of pattern in the 20th century, it could be the end of domination for a little while - but I wouldn't bet against them coming back to some form of domination at some stage in the future.

In any case, domination isn't (yet) over - maybe it'll all hinge on how successful Brexit is?

(now removing tongue from cheek)

**Adam43** · 13 Apr 2019, 23:42 (Ref:3897322)

Well it looks like it only took a revised front wing end plate to keep them at the top.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 14 Apr 2019, 07:51 (Ref:3897370)

After today's F1000 GP, they certainly are dominating again.

old man · 14 Apr 2019, 09:42 (Ref:3897399)

Errrr---- What was the question again?

GT6 · 14 Apr 2019, 11:46 (Ref:3897423)

i bet who ever posted this thread is feeling stupid at this very moment, only 1 team in the championship so far

Greem · 14 Apr 2019, 11:55 (Ref:3897430)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT6

i bet who ever posted this thread is feeling stupid at this very moment, only 1 team in the championship so far

I suspect his tongue might be aching from the force with which it's being pushed into his cheek

**Aysedasi** · 14 Apr 2019, 15:40 (Ref:3897460)

It's sad to see Mercedes in such dramatic decline. No fastest lap? They are clearly in complete disarray......

djinvicta · 14 Apr 2019, 15:44 (Ref:3897461)

Might be Gaslys biggest moment of the year! I can see him being swopped with Albon soon..

**Adam43** · 14 Apr 2019, 20:51 (Ref:3897509)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

It's sad to see Mercedes in such dramatic decline. No fastest lap? They are clearly in complete disarray......

A portent of what is to come.

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