Since the beginning of the hybrid era, back in 2014, the Brackley-based team has imposed an unprecedented dominance over Formula 1, leading to 14 world titles in seven seasons, and smashing every single record they encountered on their path.  

An infinite series of successes that is set to continue (unless unexpected surprises) in the upcoming 2021 championship, which Mercedes is preparing to face, once again, as an undisputed favorite.  

The triumphs of the Silver Arrows are the outcome of a great deal of work and a constant ability to raise the bar compared to direct opponents – work, which has enabled them to consecrate their top driver, Lewis Hamilton, to history, winning six of the last seven championships.  

The striking and unchallenged performances that Mercedes has been able to showcase are the result of several factors – skilled drivers (and an implicit hierarchy between them), great strategies, aerodynamic and power improvements. To that, we must add the failure of their direct rivals, Ferrari and Red Bull, to keep up with them.   

Mercedes relentless effort to constantly enhance their cars and performance, however, has one great impact – it ruins the show.  

Watching championships in which you know from the start who will win is certainly not an element that helps make F1 more attractive to the public. The 2020 season, in fact, showed how new tracks or the absence of Mercedes-star Lewis Hamilton (due to testing positive to COVID), are the only possibilities to have some “excitement”.  

Of this same idea is Eddie Jordan, former motorsport team boss.  

“The sport is in a difficult situation because no-one can put their finger on Mercedes”, Jordan told BBC Scotland. 

"Racing Point won a race last year, that was amazing from Sergio Perez, and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the last race but that shouldn't confuse people into thinking it will be much more open. 

"Mercedes have the best people and the best engine, so how can they not win the championship? That's a problem for me. 

"It's difficult to find the right sponsorship and you're just not going to compete with that." 

Mercedes finished top of the podium in 13 of the 17 Grands Prix held in 2020, with Hamilton winning 11 of his 16 starts.

And while Hamilton has yet to agree with Mercedes and is currently “unemployed”, Jordan reckons it is only a matter of time before an announcement will be made.  The Irish businessman said: “Lewis Hamilton is the jewel in the crown. He's the one every TV station wants to interview. 

"Mercedes are probably saying a lot of this is to do with the car and we've given him an outstanding chance to be world champion because he has the best car. That's not in dispute. However, if they think they can replace Lewis Hamilton with another driver and have the same element of success then I think they are deluded. 

Who will be the first to break Mercedes’ dominance, only time will tell. In the meantime, we might already know how the 2021 season will finish.