Wolff hypes up Mercedes W15 with sights set on Red Bull
Wolff hypes up Mercedes W15 with sights set on Red Bull
Toto Wolff is anticipating the performance potential of the revamped Mercedes W15 next season.
Having acknowledged the team's admission of pursuing the wrong car concept with the W13 and W14 during the initial years of the ground-effect regulations, Mercedes are now adopting a new philosophy for the upcoming season.
The all-new W15, set to be unveiled on Valentines Day, represents a departure from the 2023 model, despite performance improvements unlocked during the season.
Following two years of efforts to narrow the gap to Red Bull with the 'zeropod' concept, former technical director Mike Elliott has handed over responsibilities to James Allison.
Wolff: We have to keep momentum
Having learned valuable lessons from the inconsistent performance of the 2022 and 2023 cars, Wolff has expressed confidence that Mercedes is better positioned for success in 2024.
“We have a gap to the leaders,” he explained to Sky Sports F1. But the two teams, at Brixworth and Brackley, are so motivated.
"We have so many good things in the pipeline, so many new things, and, with all the learning we had, [we are] really in a good place to see what’s coming together.
“[We have] got to take the momentum now from the P2 in the championship and take the momentum to the factories.”
Wolff: Monumental endeavour coming up
As Mercedes shifts strategy for 2024, Red Bull's upcoming car is an evolution of the RB19. Acknowledging 'diminishing returns', Christian Horner anticipates challenges for Red Bull.
Wolff is hopeful that Red Bull's development has plateaued, providing opportunities for competing teams.
“Let’s be honest, they [Red Bull] have a gap because they got well out of the blocks with the new regulations,” Wolff said.
“In order to catch up, that’s a monumental endeavour.
“At a certain stage, hopefully, they level off with their development speed and we can catch up. It’s not only adding a tenth of downforce or so, our car had a fundamental problem.
“It’s unstable, the drivers have no confidence in the car and, if we can dial that out, then I think we can make that step forward like other teams have done.”
READ MORE: Wolff opens up on potential retirement
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- 51 minutes ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 1 hour ago
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
- 1 hour ago
Verstappen sent Horner CLEAR message before Newey bombshell
- 2 hours ago
Horner admits Red Bull star may NEVER return to team
- 3 hours ago
F1 team OFFICIALLY confirms signing of new lead driver
- Today 08:57
Related news
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
Hamilton car camera captures Verstappen's TRUE feelings toward F1 rival
Marko reveals Vettel requirements for stunning F1 comeback
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860