Mercedes’ goal is clear: After a mixed start to the season, the Silver Arrows want to catch up and close the gap to Red Bull at the top of Formula 1. Team boss Toto Wolff explains how this should succeed in the coming months.
“We will continuously bring upgrades to the car in the next races,” reveals the Austrian, who also makes it clear: “There is no silver bullet that changes the car, and you have to be realistic with your expectations.”
The aim is therefore rather a “constant improvement” of the W14, so that one will “get closer to the top”. “We need a steeper development curve than Red Bull, and we basically want to fight for race wins,” Wolff clarifies.
The last Mercedes victory so far, and the only one in the 2022 season, dates back to last November, when George Russell clinched his first Formula 1 victory in Brazil. That was more than five months ago now.
Wolff makes it clear: Mercedes thinks long-term
Since then there have been four races across the seasons, all of which Red Bull has won. “You are now setting the bar,” emphasizes Wolff, who, however, makes it clear: “We have confidence in the process and in the people.” He was aware that there would be “setbacks”.
But the team boss assures: “I believe in our organization 100 percent, because our perspective is not always focused on a single race weekend, not even on a single season.”
“We’re trying to develop our skills in such a way that we’re going to be successful over a number of years,” said Wolff, who explained: “As far as the development of the car is concerned, it’s encouraging to see that after three races we understand the car a lot better .”
Mercedes has “defined a clear direction”
“We have defined a clear direction in which we need to go and I think we are on the right track. We need to consolidate our understanding and hopefully we can take another step in the next few races,” said Wolff.
Incidentally, he used the April break for a sporty trip to the mountains, among other things. “In Austria you have to ski. It’s impossible not to ski,” he grins. From the end of the month, things will be back to normal in Formula 1.
Starting with the race in Baku (April 30), Mercedes and Co. then expect five races in six weeks. For the Silver Arrows, that’s five chances to get closer to Red Bull…