Formula 1: The 2023 F1 season is up and running with four highly anticipated races already under the belt. Though too early to lay out predictions, 2023 again seems to be a season dominated by the Red Bull duo so far. Meanwhile, Mercedes, once the arch-rival of Red Bull are now struggling for a place at the front. Team Silver Arrows are left with multiple loose ends and a draggy car. Recently, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff opened up about what he thinks is the biggest limitation for the team this season. Follow Formula 1 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
After the major overhaul last season, the team decided to endorse a distinct car design, featuring narrow side pods. For the 2023 campaign, the team decided to stick to their existing guns on the W-14 with just a series of mechanical changes. However, the decision did not yield the expected results for the men from Brackley. Their assessment seems to be falling apart, in turn, pushing for some drastic changes.
After the Saudi Arabian GP, Wolff even went to the extent of accepting that the W-14 needs a radically new design. Recently, Wolff remarked that Mercedes is working towards unlocking more downforce. However, the biggest limitation the team is facing right now is “ride control”
Fixing the ride is major hindrance in extracting downforce: Toto Wolff
For any road car, the suspension works towards achieving smooth ride and handling. However, for a F1 car, ride is often not the most prior as performance takes a lead. Considering that, if the cockpit experience is too stiff, it will effect that ride control for a driver. In addition to it, an F1 car generates huge amount of downforce, several times it’s bodyweight. So another challenge that the suspension has is handling that downforce. Right now, the Silver Arrows team is stuck between the dichotomy of earlier mentioned factors.
“For our car, it is more about the ride control than it is about sheer downforce. We could put a lot of downforce on the car but the car would be too low and too stiff, “said Wolff as reported by Motorsport.
Mercedes F1 to roll out major changes in Imola : Wolff
Silver Arrows have made considerable strides since 2023, though with little success. Technical switch of James Allison and Mike Elliot are yet to come through for the Brackley team.
The team, however, has been successful in identifying the major issues. Toto Wolff even up to say that if not of the cost cap, he would have changed the entire chassis. For now, as the ride is biggest area of concern the team will introduce a revised suspension to make the car more drivable.
“What we have to really decide carefully is what is it we want to upgrade – we’re bringing a new front suspension to Imola and the aero upgrade that comes with it and floor,” said Wolff as reported by Motorsport.
“If we get the platform right, it’s less about adding 10 points of downforce,” added the Austrian boss.
With 19 races still to go in the 2023 season, can Mercedes find those crucial tents of the second in this silver bullet that can put their hat in the ring for the championship? Tell us your predictions in the comments below.
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