The German team is preparing a fundamentally changed single-seater for next year’s F1. The upcoming W15 car should have little in common with the current W14.
Between 2014 and 2021, Mercedes won a record eight consecutive Constructors’ Cup titles. However, the winning machine stalled last year when the team from Brackley managed only one victory in 2022 and none so far this year.
Even the change in the concept of the car, when it got rid of the so-called ultra-thin sidewalls during the season, did not help Mercedes to win.
It is therefore not surprising that the German team is not satisfied with the current state of affairs and is therefore preparing for the upcoming season major changes that will affect the upcoming car, which is already being worked on diligently.
The last race in Brazil didn’t sound too good for Mercedes either. In the context of this, German team boss Toto Wolff was asked if the failure at Interlagos was evidence that Mercedes still did not understand the current technical rules that came into force in 2022.
“No, I think it was rather confirmed that the steps we took (about the upcoming changes) are necessary. On the contrary, it confirmed that the trajectory of these fundamental changes is correct,” said Wolff, quoted by Autosport.
Last year Mercedes was the best team in Brazil and even celebrated the win. However, this was somewhat of a Pyrrhic victory, as thanks to her the stable believed that her development was going in the right direction.
“After coming from Interlagos last year, where we demolished the competition, we wondered if it was right to continue with the car we have… Well, now it’s quite clear. It’s a terrible feeling for the whole team,” Wolff said, noting that this year’s problems in Brazil were not just due to the team not being able to adjust the car enough during the weekend (due to the sprint and parc fermé rules).
However, Wolff is aware that even the new Mercedes car may not get the silver arrows to the top again.
“I’ve never been an optimist. Maybe it’s my problem, but I always see the glass as half empty. But we know that if we completely change the car, we can build on the period of eight years when we were at the front. Given the structure and the people we have at our disposal,” he added.
