F1 News: Red Bull Chief Raises Concerns Over Mercedes Upgrades - "Allocation Of Budget"
Mercedes has made a grand entrance at the Monaco Grand Prix with an impressive array of upgrades from floor to suspension. The most striking change is the introduction of sidepods, signalling a departure from the not-so-innovative 'zero-pod' concept the team had been experimenting with since the beginning of last year. Plenty of fans, and even I, have admitted that the design is obviously taking influence from the likes of Aston Martin and Red Bull, and now Christian Horner has added to this idea.
During the team bosses' press conference, Horner shared his initial thoughts on Mercedes' extensive upgrades.
"Visually, they do look different. However, it's important to note that visual changes don't always have the most significant impact on performance. It's what lies beneath the surface and the finer details that often make the biggest difference," stated the Red Bull team boss.
Regarding the budgetary implications of the upgrades, Horner expressed his scepticism about their direct correlation with success.
"Mercedes has introduced a substantial number of parts, indicating a considerable allocation of their budget ceiling to this upgrade. Ultimately, it's up to each team to effectively utilise these upgrades and maximise their potential," added Horner.
The introduction of sidepods by Mercedes marks a pivotal moment in their design philosophy as they bid farewell to the experimental 'zero pod' concept. But while the team makes these huge changes this weekend, Monaco will prove to be a difficult playground for the Brackley squad to extract, or even learn about what performance could be unlocked.
As the Monaco Grand Prix unfolds, the spotlight will be on Mercedes' upgraded W14 and its ability to compete at the front of the pack. But we all know what this Monte Carlo tarmac brings with it - a professional race with very few overtakes - so it will be very difficult to measure the success of the upgrades for now. Despite this, it's fair to say that it has piqued Red Bull's interest.