Mercedes concedes that it could get its 2024 Formula 1 car “wrong” amid its decision to change virtually “every component” in an attempt to return to winning ways next season.
Despite beating Ferrari to second place in the Constructors’ standings, the German marque endured its first winless season since 2011 and wound up 454 points behind Red Bull, who triumphed in all but one race.
Following a breakthrough victory at the end of last year, Mercedes had elected to retain faith in its ‘zeropod’ solution that it had run since the start of the latest regulation cycle.
But while the team reversed that with upgrades in Monaco, Mercedes remained hindered by the architecture of the launch-spec W14 under the cost cap restrictions.
Mercedes has revealed it will pursue a new philosophy next season, but team boss Toto Wolff remains cautious about the side’s chances of reviving its title credentials.
“I have never in my life felt optimistic about anything,” Wolff expressed in Abu Dhabi. “Which makes it sound miserable, but it has protected me about managing my expectations and pushing harder, because I think it is never good enough.
Expanding on the modifications being made to its W15 challenger, Wolff explained: “So we are changing the concept, we are completely moving away from how we laid out the chassis, the weight distribution, the airflow, I mean literally there is almost every component that has been changed because only by doing that do we have a chance.”
However, Wolff admits the extent of the alterations being made behind the scenes at Brackley could backfire and result in Mercedes struggling for a third straight year.
“We could get it wrong also, so between not gaining what we expect to catching up, making a big step and competing at the front, everything is possible,” he continued.
“If you ask me today, there is always scepticism, but that is the mentality in the team that pushes us forward to never give up.”
Wolff noted that improving one place to second in the standings this season left him “with a bittersweet feeling” as he considered the position to represent that it had “lost P1”.
After Lewis Hamilton said he expects Red Bull to remain the benchmark in 2024, Wolff is aware of the unenviable task Mercedes has in catching the reigning champions.
“There is a Mount Everest to climb to catch up with Red Bull,” the Austrian issued.
“I have no doubt that McLaren is going to be right in the mix next year, maybe Aston Martin, maybe others insofar as we must leave no stone unturned, which we do in Brixworth and in Brackley.
“As tough as it is to be reminded that it is just P2, it’s also a great, great opportunity to come back and strive for the stars.”
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