Mercedes found "really big steps" after changing F1 car approach

Mercedes has revealed it is already finding “really big steps” of performance at its factory after committing to a new direction with its Formula 1 car. 

Mercedes found "really big steps" after changing F1 car approach

The German manufacturer has committed to an action plan that will trigger a change of concept as it moves away from the ‘zeropod’ idea it has raced with since the start of last season. 

While the team knows that it will take a long time for it to make the progress it thinks is necessary to be fighting right at the front, Mercedes has offered some encouraging news for drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell

Speaking at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said the squad had already unlocked good performance steps now that it has changed its approach. 

“It is big steps in relative performance to where we are even now,” explained Wolff. “The kind of gains that are coming in, in our R&D and in aero, are much bigger than we've had over a long time.  

“So we've unlocked some potential because we are simply looking at things from different angles now. We have a different perspective, because of our learnings of the Bahrain test and race.  

“There was no step back. On the contrary, there was immediately two steps forward.”

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

While much of the focus of ‘concept’ talk at the team has revolved around the sidepods, it appears the change of direction for Mercedes relates more to the set-up window of where the car runs in relation to the ground. 

“I think the biggest change that we made is actually looking at whether we want to have the car set-up in its sweet spot,” explained Wolff. 

“We've been too low last year, and we've been too high this year. And now we believe we know what to land on.  

“On the other side, then obviously, everything else follows in terms of floor, and bodywork that you want to achieve.  

“So I don't want to sound too foolishly optimistic, but at least we see low hanging fruit with things that are encouraging.” 

Wolff said that, as a result of the work being done, future developments of the W14 would make it look very different. 

“It is all the aerodynamic surfaces that are visible, from the leading edge all the way to the diffuser and the beam wing,” he said. 

“There's massive amounts on the floor, obviously with a ground-effect car, and then there's many more architectural things that are necessary in order to do things more efficient. 

“So it's literally the car is being turned upside down at the moment and there's a lot of goodness that we see.” 

Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG

Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG

Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images

While George Russell’s third place grid slot for the Saudi Arabian GP has given the team an indication that things may not be as bad as they looked in Bahrain, Wolff says that his views on the team needing a major car rethink are unchanged. 

“We're always looking at the benchmark performance, and that is [Max] Verstappen and [Sergio] Perez today, and it's just too far away. So that hasn't changed,” he explained. 

Read Also:

“I think if Max would have finished qualifying, the gap would have been even bigger. We have seen in other long runs too.  

“So, my state of mind hasn't changed a millimetre just because we are P3 in qualifying. But the difference is that the trajectory is set now. So it's not any more this single session, single qualifying or even a single race. We are just storming full steam ahead now changing things.”  

shares
comments

What the GPS data reveals about how Verstappen must approach Saudi GP

Saudi Arabian GP: The latest F1 tech updates direct from the pitlane

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1? What next for Mercedes in its quest to get back to the top of F1?

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
GP Racing

Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Australian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Kevin Turner

Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries