Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have endured a miserable end to the 2023 season, but Toto Wolff’s latest comments will give both parties fresh hope
Toto Wolff has explained that Mercedes will change “almost every component” in their design path for the W15 this winter. This will come as great news to Lewis Hamilton, who had been looking forward to seeing the back of the team’s 2023 challenger for weeks ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes had a small victory to celebrate at the season’s last race, as George Russell’s second podium of the year made sure the Silver Arrows defeated Ferrari by a mere three points to take second place in the Constructors’ Championship.
But in the grand scheme of things, this accomplishment will mean very little to the eight-time winners. With the Austrian constructor winning 21 of the 22 Grands Prix, they finished 451 points behind Red Bull at the top of the standings and never really looked like they could challenge for the win, with the exception of the Circuit of the Americas.
At the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, Wolff talked about the team’s future plans, saying, “We are changing the concept.” We are making a radical departure from the chassis, weight distribution, and airflow layout that we originally designed.
“Almost every single element is being altered because, in my opinion, that is the only way we have a chance. We might also be mistaken. Therefore, anything is possible, including not achieving our goals, catching up, taking a significant step, and competing at the top.”
Hamilton, who was happy to be leaving the W14 after a terrible campaign finale, will be overjoyed to hear this news. The seven-time world champion struggled on the edge of the points in Abu Dhabi after a chaotic weekend in Las Vegas during the penultimate round.
When asked if he was glad to be saying goodbye to Mercedes’ 2023 rival at the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton said, “I wouldn’t say that I’m relieved.” I’m glad it’s almost over, for sure.
It’s more erratic than it has ever been. It only goes up and down. Every corner is incredibly unbalanced and unpredictable from the moment you apply the brakes to the point at which you turn to the point of maximum acceleration.
In the Drivers’ Championship standings, the seven-time world champion came in third place, trailing only Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez of Red Bull. Hamilton is still hoping to win a record-breaking eighth championship, but that depends on how the W15 turns out.
Leave a Reply