Mercedes to scrap “zero-pod” concept as W14’s MISERABLE performance continues
Toto Wolff revealed the W14 will look different in six to seven races based on the decisions the team has taken.
W14. Image via TheJudge13.
Mercedes had a poor start at the season opener in Bahrain. The team started on the back foot. They were behind Red Bull, Aston Martin, and Ferrari. This is a huge blow for a successful team like Mercedes. In 2022 the German manufacturer came up with the unfamiliar zero side-pods concept. While the team spent most of last season solving the porpoising issue, they hoped 2023 would be a better year.
This is unfamiliar territory for the team with a successful record in the sport. Team boss Toto Wolff admitted at the Saudi Arabian GP that the zero-pod design concept had been proved wrong. Mercedes took one win in the 2022 Formula 1 season. However, they had several podium finishes and capitalized on other teams’ failures.
The win and the podiums led the team to believe in their zeropod design and move forward with it for the 2023 season. But, the team realized that it was false data from the simulations. A decision has been made to go in a different direction. Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, stated, “I think we tried hard to make it work because the data that we have extrapolated showed us that this works. And we were proven wrong, very simply.”
Lewis Hamilton following his Saudi Arabia qualifying run pointed out that W14 isn’t comfortable, and he had a miserable feeling about the car. He said, “I struggled with the car at high speed, particularly. But I just don’t feel connected to this car, and I can’t understand it, so I don’t really know what I’m going to do about it. It’s miserable. I’m giving absolutely everything. I’m here as late as possible every day; I’m getting ready as best I can, and I get in the car, and I can’t connect with him. I really don’t know what to say about it,”.
Related: What time does the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian GP race start today? TV schedule, channel, and live stream
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes was misguided by the simulation data
“You can see that the two quickest cars, Red Bull and Aston Martin, including the Ferraris – the three quickest cars have a similar concept of how they generate performance, and it’s very different to ours. And at a certain stage, we came to the conclusion we got this wrong. Simply, we got it wrong.”
“Why we got it wrong, we’re still analysing because we follow data and we followed what simulations tell us; in that case, we were misguided by those data”. Toto Wolff admits Mercedes got it wrong with the new-era cars. The team is fed up with false hope and is looking to move forward. Mercedes does not want to lose more time.
Toto Wolff explained to Sky Sports F1 that the W14 would look very different in six to seven races. The team will make changes to its aerodynamics and bodywork. This would be within the cost cap. However, changing the chassis is out of the question due to the budget cap. Mercedes has collectively decided to move in a different direction. They want to set realistic goals. Mercedes will strive to push and get to where they want to be. At the Bahrain GP, Lewis Hamilton finished 5th, and George Russell finished 7th. However, the team is focused on the upcoming races.
In case you missed it:
Sugantha Meena
(493 Articles Published)