With the German producer having realised it has taken the flawed strategy with its 2023 automobile, having been too cautious with its journey top goal, the crew has been chasing options to get it nearer to the entrance of the grid.
And whereas extra downforce wouldn’t go amiss, its technical director James Allison has stated a selected effort has been thrown at attempting to enhance the dealing with and stability of the W14.
He stated that the through-corner attribute of its present challenger are removed from perfect in offering its drivers with the arrogance they want.
“Bread and butter downforce is all the time factor,” he informed the Mercedes web site about enhancements being deliberate.
“We’re additionally attempting to make the automobile extra reassuring for the drivers once they initially flip in. It feels too reactive.
“After which once they get to the apex they’ve the other downside, the place we wish it to chew on the entrance and it does not. It is unstable once you first flip the wheel after which annoyingly {dead} once they get to the apex. We wish it the opposite approach round. That is what we’re engaged on.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believed that a variety of potential might be opened up if the crew was profitable in offering a automobile that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell felt extra snug with.
Toto Wolff, Crew Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG
Picture by: Michael Potts / Motorsport Images
“We have to give the drivers a extra dependable automobile and platform in terms of the stability and feeling,” he stated.
“It isn’t about absolute downforce but it surely’s for them to know that the automobile goes to be steady once they flip into the nook. That is not the case for now.
“It’s a huge focus for us, as it is going to give the drivers extra confidence and with that may come extra efficiency.”
Mercedes is beginning to shift increasingly more of its assets in direction of its 2024 automobile, however Allison thinks that any enhancements it finds again on the manufacturing facility can nonetheless be utilized to the present challenger.
“At this stage of the 12 months the wind tunnel is closely targeted on 2024,” he stated.
“Massive chunks of the drawing workplace, automobile dynamics, manufacturing for long-lead time manufacturing gadgets are beginning to collect their skirts. From the summer time break onwards, subsequent 12 months’s automobile is the place the biggest name is answered. However that additionally provides alternatives for the W14 too.”
Whereas the final word goal stays getting itself again in world championship competition, Allison has stated ending the 12 months as runner-up to Purple Bull is one thing it’s keen to realize.
“At first of the 12 months we had been fourth quickest, our prospects who had been beating us, and that was irritating,” he stated. “Ferrari had been beating us too.
Sergio Perez, Purple Bull Racing RB19, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
“Little by little we’re regularly placing them behind us. The whole lot is taking part in a component in it. From technique to engineering, reliability, manufacturing and the drivers who’re metronomic of their means to show half-opportunities into factors.
“Though it falls in need of our preliminary goals, securing P2 nonetheless actually issues for all of us. Particularly within the second half of the season when the tone can be shifting to the W15.”