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It’s again to the drafting board for Mercedes.
The System 1 staff managed to safe second within the Constructors’ Championship this season, profitable the coveted “finest staff not named Pink Bull” award for the 2023 marketing campaign. But, even that appeared a heavy raise, as each Lewis Hamilton and George Russell battled the opposite 18 drivers on the grid, in addition to their very own automotive, the W14, all through the season.
Now, the staff is looking forward to 2024, and a very reimagined challenger.
In an interview with Motorsport, Staff Principal Toto Wolff outlined that every little thing is on the desk because the staff appears at choices for the W15.
“We’re altering the idea,” stated Wolff. “We’re fully transferring away from how we laid out the chassis, the burden distribution, the airflow. I imply, actually, there’s virtually each part that’s being modified as a result of solely by doing that, I believe we now have an opportunity.
“We may get it incorrect additionally. So, between not gaining what we anticipate, catching up and making a giant step and competing within the entrance, every little thing is feasible.”
Some would possibly say that Mercedes acquired it fully incorrect for the 2022 season with the W13, together with Wolff himself. Forward of the 2022 marketing campaign the staff unveiled their design, full with the “zero-pod” factor that despatched shockwaves all through the paddock. However as early as pre-season testing earlier than that season, it was clear there was an issue.
As Wolff described it, the staff acquired the “physics” incorrect with the W13, which led to the “porpoising” the staff battled all 12 months lengthy. Upgrades and tweaks to the W13 helped flip their 2022 season round, but it surely was not sufficient, because the Silver Arrows completed behind each Pink Bull and Ferrari.
This 12 months, the W14 debuted with the same zero-pod design, however by the Monaco Grand Prix the zero-pod design was gone, as Mercedes unveiled a design just like Pink Bull’s RB19.
On the time, Wolff cautioned that there aren’t any straightforward fixes in F1.
“[The upgrades] received’t be a silver bullet; from my expertise, they don’t exist in our sport. We hope that it offers the drivers a extra secure and predictable platform,” stated the staff boss. “Then we are able to construct on that within the weeks and months forward.”
“F1 is hard competitors and a meritocracy,” he added. “We aren’t the place we need to be however there’s no sense of entitlement. It’s nearly arduous work to get us to the entrance.”
Now, with a winter of labor forward of them, Wolff is once more bringing the staff again to the drafting board. And, because the staff boss notes, the highway forward is lengthy.
“I believe we have to take it on the chin, be humble about it and take into account it day. Nonetheless, there’s a Mount Everest to climb with a purpose to meet up with Pink Bull. I’ve little doubt that McLaren goes to be proper within the combine subsequent 12 months, and perhaps Aston Martin and perhaps others,” stated Wolff to Motorsport.
“We should go away no stone unturned, which we do in Brixworth and Brackley. And as powerful as it’s to be reminded that it’s simply P2, it’s additionally an amazing, nice alternative to come back again and try for the celebs.”
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