No disrespect OP, but come on. Mercedes had a car last year, which arguably was better than any GP car (yes, including the '88 McLaren) and yet here we are complaining about Mercedes. Mercedes will win this year as well, and if i had to wager, i'd say that it would be tighter between Mercedes and Ferrari in 2017, but Mercedes will come on top. It is a foregone conclusion unless Pirelli goes back to softer compounds altogether, which still seem to be the only pain point of Mercedes. Heck, just compare where Lotus are this year, and all they changed was an engine really. That sort of advantage wouldn't evaporate overnight.
The only area where i will criticise Mercedes is that they have allowed media etc. to influence their handling of affairs which were best dealt internally, but i guess that is marketing and PR for you. Bending over backwards to sell some cars i guess. I guess you could say that McLaren at times were guilty of bending over backwards for some fans/ media. That's as far as similarities go, that is if you ask my opinion on such. Mistakes happen, it is merely a part of learning as we go through racing and life. Ferrari, a team which is known for getting strategies right most of the times, even they fluffed Canada only two years ago in 2012. In my opinion, the more Mercedes run their affairs as a matter of public opinion, the mistakes will creep in more and more.
Just look at this article for instance:
http://www.espn.co.u...rous-conditions
Here one from the press is complaining about why one driver was on track, while completely ignoring that the other was out as well. Mercedes are going to come under more and more pressure from the media, the fans, and then how can one conclude that it wouldn't influence a bit in how they're operating in public (so many PR gaffes in less than two years) and otherwise. Mercedes themselves are to blame for pandering to this lot. Hopefully Mercedes will realise it, as all this is doing, despite their bending over backwards to please fans and media, is to get Mercedes some more bad press. They should grow a spine and it is about time.