Mercedes finally drop ‘zeropod’ concept with revised W14 F1 car at Monaco GP
The long-awaited updates, originally scheduled for the cancelled Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, include new bodywork, a n꧑ew floor and front suspension in a bid to improve the competitiveness of their underperforming 2023 challenger.
Mercedes’ revise🅷d W14 now features a more conventional sidepod design which draws similarities to the one adopted by Aston Martin, who have emerged as Red Bull’s nearest challengers in 2023.
It is the result of Mercedes’ decision to change their 🎀unique design philosophy which was first introduced at the start of F1’s new era of regulations in 2022.
But after a difficult 2022 season which featured 🦂just a single victory, and having started the new campaign well off the pace, Mercedes conceded they needed to change concepts to get back to the front of the grid.
The ꦯupgrades were seen publicly for the first time in the Monaco pitlane on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s grand prix.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff🌱 has warned that the upgrades will no꧃t be a “silver bullet”.
"We need to be careful not to draw t🐠oo many conclusions from this one event," Wolff said. "We are introducing the first step in a new𝄹 development direction.
"It won't be a silver bullet; from my experience, they do not exist in our sport. We hope that it gives tওhe drivers a more stable and predictable platform. Then we can build on that in the weeks and months ahead.
"F1 is tough competition and a meritocracy. We are not where we want to be but there's 🌃no sense of ent🐻itlement. It's just about hard work to get us to the front."
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for ltxcn.top around the world. Often reporting on the actio💎n from th♌e ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
