Things didn’t go according to plan. Leading up to the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka this weekend, the Mercedes F1 squad unveiled a life-sized Lego replica of the previous year’s “W14” vehicle. Besides the inherent peculiarity of crafting a life-sized Lego rendition of a car that only secured second spot in the constructor’s championship last season, F1 enthusiasts heavily taunted the Lego replica on social networking sites. Unfortunately for Mercedes, the team couldn’t quiet down the ridicule at Suzuka.
Numerous remarks on Mercedes F1’s X post were merciless, with many suggesting that the Lego version is speedier than the actual W14 vehicle or boasts better aerodynamics than the new W15 model. Some questioned if Mercedes allocated the entire W15 budget for this year to this project. Yet, the most ruthless, and possibly the darkest, comment reads, “George Russell: RED FLAG RED FLAG RED RED RED,” alongside an image of a stack of grey Lego bricks. It refers back to Russell’s recent crash where he found himself stranded sideways on the track, fearing a collision.
Ironically, Mercedes seemed to be on the upswing initially before the Japanese Grand Prix. On the day before the race, Mercedes driver and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton remarked that his car felt “the most pleasant it has felt in three years,” despite qualifying in the seventh position. However, Mercedes couldn’t substantiate that claim as Hamilton concluded the race in ninth place, while his teammate George Russell finished in seventh, primarily due to inadequate tire strategy.
The past few seasons have been tumultuous for the Mercedes F1 squad. After years of dominance that witnessed Hamilton securing six out of seven championship titles, Mercedes has now become the subject of F1 fan banter, and this Lego recreation only worsened the situation. It’s saddening to think about all the individuals who spent days constructing the massive Lego F1 vehicle, only for it to turn into the joke of the weekend.
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