Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff recently addressed the cost cap issue which is expected to impact the W-14 development through the season. Moreover, as teams have already started working on their 2024 machinery, Silver Arrows have to keep that cost limitation in mind as well while going about their W-15 planning. The team has made some significant strides over the last few weekends.
Mercedes introduced their first major overhaul at the Monaco GP. The race result, though satisfying, wasn’t an ideal one in terms of upgrade-related data. However, a welcome result at the Spanish GP in the following race meant they were on the right track. Since then, the team has looked stronger than before, with consecutive podium finishes for Lewis Hamilton.
The German manufacturers currently stand at P2 in the constructors’ standings. However, the gap still exists with Red Bull, and many will agree a mighty one. One thing that still runs in favor of the team is that they have fundamentally changed their car concept for good. Now, a primary concern for the team this season and in the upcoming one is simply the strict financial cap that no team can afford to breach.
Car Development in sync with financial cap, assures Mercedes F1 Boss Toto Wolff
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was recently questioned about the threat that Mercedes poses with their quick-paced development. He was quick to dismiss it by citing the fact that the team must have already used a considerable chunk of their development budget into recent upgrades. In Monaco, Silver Arrows debuted a new floor, front suspension, and side pods in Monaco. Thereafter, they made further addition of a new diffuser in Barcelona.
However, the team still faces issues like weak rear and lesser traction out of low-speed corners. Recently, Wolff opened up about the financial aspects of this development process. He assured that the team is well within the permissible spending limit. “We have set up a huge organization in our financial department of 46 people, that monitors the cost cap down to the last screw,” said the Austrian.
“We stayed below that line all year last year, and we’ve stayed below that line this year. Considering a normal development switch for next year, this is still pretty much on track. There are going to be some fundamental design changes for next year, but it’s not that we’re building stuff. It’s more what are we simulating – and that is not measured in money,” added the Mercedes boss.
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