F1 News: Mercedes W14 "will look different" after major 2023 upgrade package
After failing to compete for the F1 World Championship last year, Mercedes appears in a sub-optimal position with the W14 heading into the Bahrain GP.
The Silver Arrows have stressed caution heading into the 2023 season since the W14's launch, with the likes of Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton careful to manage expectations.
Considering the difficulties that Mercedes faced last year - and their performance deficit to Red Bull - this seems a sensible approach.
However, following three days of pre-season testing, there seems to be a sense of genuine concern within the Brackley-based squad.
It would be a stretch to suggest the Mercedes W14 will not be near the sharp end of the field in 2023, but there is no denying that the Silver Arrows seem a few steps behind Red Bull.
Aside from the occasional reliability issue, the most pressing concern for Mercedes is their long-run pace, which still appears unable to match the performance of Red Bull.
The handling characteristics of the W14 also showed some limitations, although car set-up is often very experimental - and so hard to judge - during pre-season.
Lap times from testing are not necessarily conclusive, but the set-up and aerodynamic limitations Mercedes experienced last year suggest an immediate jump to the front in Bahrain is unlikely.
Technical Director Mike Elliot spoke to Sky Sports about Mercedes' plans to develop throughout the year:
"There's bodywork coming, and it will look different. It won't look like someone else's, it will look like an evolution of ours. That's on its way.
"Competition [wise], hopefully, we're back [with the new upgrades]. But I think we have to be humble, we have to remember we've got good competition.
"If we made a step forward and get closer to the front, then we're back in it.
"If we can develop over the course of the season, then hopefully, we can fight for the Championship."
Regarding whether Mercedes will converge with the Red Bull sidepod concept, Elliot responded, "that's not in our current plans."
These declarations are significant for the German squad, especially considering the difference in its sidepod philosophy compared to much of the grid.
An admission of a scheduled change to the W14's concept, Red Bull-inspired or not, is hardly encouraging for Mercedes and their drivers - Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
This is not to say the team cannot compete at the front in 2023, but there seem to be far more question marks surrounding Mercedes' direction with these new regulations than at Red Bull.