Toto Wolff Reflects On Mercedes W13 As 2023 Contender Seeks To "Unravel The Problems And Improve The Package"

After a difficult 2022, but with the Mercedes team now looking at an optimistic 2023, Toto Wolff has reflected on the W13 and all of its drawbacks.

The world of F1 racing is one that is always evolving, and with each new season comes new challenges and obstacles to overcome. For Mercedes, 2022 was a year filled with difficulties and setbacks that ultimately cost them the championship. One of the most significant issues the team faced was porpoising, which prevented them from utilizing the full potential of their car's downforce. As a result, they struggled to find the speed and consistency they needed to compete with the likes of Red Bull or Ferrari - at least at the beginning of the season.

The start of the season was particularly challenging for the Brackley-based team, as they struggled to find the necessary performance to keep up. While they did make some gains later in the year, by that point, it was simply too late. However, despite the disappointments of 2022, the team is now looking forward to the new season with renewed optimism.

“Last year was difficult but it came with lots of learnings,” Toto admitted. “I hope 2023 will be proof that we have understood how to unravel the problems and improve the package of the car.

“W13 certainly had performance which we never were able to unlock and put all its downforce on the ground. Our car performed very well at the end of the season. However, we still had the famous bouncing at some circuits and the car never gave the drivers good feedback, which limited them in being able to really push. We have tried to keep all the goodness of the W13 and address its weaknesses,” he continued.

The all-black W14 already has fans of the team hoping for another Constructors Championship for the German team, and with pre-season testing around the corner, it won't be long until we find out where the car sits in the hierarchy.