Mercedes starts next season with a completely revamped car, as it believes this is the only way it can have a chance against Red Bull. However, their boss warns: This can also be appealed.
The successes achieved at the end of 2022 led Mercedes into a trap in 2023, and it was not even able to get out of it this year. Because they kept the basics of their car, even though they realized early on that they had made poor decisions, their hands were tied, and they had no way to make radical changes (build a new body) due to the cost cap.
This is how they finished the season without a win – for the first time since 2011. The failure also bothered them, but in the meantime they have been working in the background for months on their 2024 car, with which they are heading in a completely different direction.
“We had to honestly see that this car was not going to be good enough to win a championship and we had to make the decision that we had to go back to the drawing board and come up with something new for next year. But Mount Everest is facing us.”
– said Toto Wolff, referring to Red Bull, which won 21 out of 22 races this year.
In his opinion, the Bulls and Max Verstappen deserve the credit. “It was an exceptional season from them. Many records were broken. This is proof that this is a top competitor. And also about the engineering team. This is Red Bull. You can’t do better than that. Excellent!”
“But we can challenge that too.”
He added that they can celebrate their success in maintaining second place in the Constructors’ Championship against Ferrari in Abu Dhabi, and their task will not be easier. “When you get second, it reminds you that you lost first. We have to swallow this. I have no doubt that McLaren will also be in the race next year, and maybe Aston Martin, and maybe others as well. We have to move every stone at Brixworth and Brackley. As much as While this is a painful reminder that it is only second place, it is also a great opportunity to come back and strive for the stars.
According to Wolff, there is no doubt that they have to take a big step forward, but he believes it is possible. “Red Bull started 2022 with a strong advantage under the new rules and they were able to maintain it. We have to acknowledge their achievements on the engineering side and on the drivers side. To beat them under the current rules is against expectations, that’s clear.”
George Russell and Toto Wolff (Image: XPB)“At the same time, we saw McLaren’s developments lead to a one-second improvement, AlphaTauri strengthened at the end of the year, and Aston Martin over the winter as well. So there is a way to improve performance significantly.”
The team boss announced that next year’s car will be completely new, but that doesn’t guarantee success either.
“Our concept is changing. We are completely abandoning our current frame, weight distribution and flow. We are literally replacing almost every part, because I think that is the only way we have a chance. But we can get rid of that too. So everything will be possible, starting with not winning “As much as we expected, even catching up, even making a big leap forward.”
Wolf thought.
When asked if he was optimistic about the future, he said: “I’ve never been optimistic about anything in my life. It may sound pathetic, but I was just protecting myself, pushing back on expectations and doing the best I could. I don’t think you can ever be good enough. That’s why I feel so bittersweet right now. We got We got second place, but we lost first place.”
Without victory
A year ago, Mercedes finished third in the championship, but at the same time won a race in Brazil. They missed out on winning the race this year. Wolff was asked if he would prefer to win and place third.
“They’re both losers. Second place is better because of the money and people bonuses, but third place is better because of the wind tunnel time, which would put us fourteen percent ahead of Red Bull. You can’t have it all. Either the bonus or the wind tunnel time.” He pointed to it
He also sent a message to their fans. “Trust us, let’s keep pushing! We came in second, it’s good to take that home. But we’re shooting for the stars, I promise we’ll get there.”
