Source: REUTERS/HAMAD I MOHAMMED
[Saba Sports News] In a recent interview with the media, Mercedes F1
team principal Toto Wolff discussed the team’s perspective on their current
car, the W14, and provided insights into the upcoming W15. Unlike Ferrari and
McLaren, who express optimism for the following year, Mercedes seems less
content. One primary reason for the team’s cautious outlook is that the W14 has
not shown significant performance improvements since the introduction of major
upgrades at the Monaco Grand Prix. While the upgrade was intended to emulate
Red Bull Racing’s successful undercut and tail washdown concept, inherent
deficiencies in the W14’s chassis have hindered the car’s ability to achieve
optimal speed on certain tracks. This demonstrates that copying opponents’
designs is not a guarantee for success in Formula One. Presently, F1 places
greater emphasis on rear balance, an area that has historically been a weakness
for Mercedes due to their design philosophy favoring low-angle floors.
Consequently, it is uncertain whether the upcoming W15 will be able to match
Red Bull’s pace.