F1 Insider: Mercedes Abandoning Everything They've Learnt So Far
Mercedes fans were holding their breath as rumours surfaced that the team had a 'plan B' car in the pipeline for the 2023 season. Sky Sports analyst Ted Kravitz initially revealed that the team had a fallback car in development in case their current concept proved to be a dud. However, team boss Toto Wolff and Technical Director Mike Elliott refuted the theory, leaving fans confused and anxious.
But it wasn't long before Wolff and Elliott's denial was put to the test. Mercedes' subpar performance during the Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying was enough to convince Wolff that the team's current car concept was doomed to fail. After the race, the team's Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin hinted at "bigger departures and more radical changes," indicating that the team was already looking to move away from their current design.
And now, Kravitz has further speculated that a 'plan B' car is once again in the works for Mercedes. But what does this mean for the team and its chances of winning the 2023 season?
According to Kravitz, Mercedes' renewed focus on a 'plan B' car suggests that the team is undergoing a major re-evaluation of its own beliefs and abilities. It's as if the team is abandoning everything they've worked so hard on for the past seven to eight months and starting from scratch.
But it's not all doom and gloom for the team. Kravitz points out that Wolff's demand for a new concept from his designers and engineers could be the push they need to come up with something truly innovative and game-changing. And while Lewis Hamilton may not be writing off the team's chances just yet, he is certainly encouraging them to get on with it.
So, what's next for Mercedes? Kravitz believes that Wolff's demand for a 'plan B' car indicates that he will task and inspire his team to build a new car that will blow the competition out of the water.
But it won't be an easy task. The team will have to work hard to come up with a concept that is not only innovative but also practical and reliable, as well as keeping the cost cap in mind.
Kravitz explained:
“Are we seeing a team in existential re-evaluating in their own belief in their abilities?
“An abandonment of everything they have worked so hard on for the past seven or eight months?
“They are searching for a new concept that the boss is demanding. Toto is demanding a new concept from his designers and engineers. What will the response be?
“I don’t think Lewis [Hamilton] is writing it off mentally now. I don’t think he can. How could he? He is encouraging the team to get on with it.
“Toto will task and inspire his team to build a new car. A plan B wasn’t in the pipeline, but Wolff has now tasked his team with a plan B.
“Toto said rather dismissively: ‘I won’t get too excited about a three tenths of a second upgrade coming in Imola.
“He’s the boss, he’s going to get a plan B."