Mercedes F1 News: Wolff Warns Fans Ahead Of W14 Upgrade Reveal - "We Have To Win On Merit"
Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, has taken steps to downplay expectations ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, where their new W14 concept will make its debut. The team has been facing a series of difficulties and is already trailing Red Bull by a considerable margin in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. Fans have been eagerly anticipating the introduction of new upgrades, with many hoping it will close the gap on their rivals. However, Wolff has made it clear that it's not a panacea for all their troubles.
The new concept will reportedly do away with the 'zero-pod' design, which many believed would be the key to their resurgence. Wolff has tempered expectations, insisting that it won't be a "magic potion" that will instantly solve all their problems.
“The target (for the upgrade) is Imola but I need to manage everybody’s expectations,” Wolff said last weekend.
“We are talking so much about the upgrade but we are not going to put it down on the track and drive circles around Red Bull.”
Mercedes' struggles were once again evident at the Baku City Circuit, where they finished a distant second to Red Bull, albeit with most teams complaining that it was difficult to overtake. George Russell was the team's lead driver in the sprint race, while Lewis Hamilton finished sixth in the main race, over 40 seconds behind the leaders. The results have left Mercedes with a daunting task ahead if they hope to reclaim their championship titles.
“Over 40 racing laps that’s half a second a lap. At least we saw that they (Red Bull) were pushing today, but half-a-second is quite a long way to go,” Wolff continued.
Confirming that the team wants to win "on merit", the Austrian chief adds that the team has to be more clever that its opposition.
"We either have to do a better job, all of us together, to catch them up or change the regulations. And I don't think we should be doing the second. We have to win on merit, and that means being more clever."
Despite the team's current predicament, Wolff has remained optimistic and focused on the road ahead. Hopefully, Mercedes can iron out the issues they're currently battling because the endless Red Bull domination so far this season is starting to make even the most interesting races become predictable. And let's face it, we don't want another hybrid era bore.