With the W14, the name of the Mercedes 2023 car, the team is seeking forward to bringing back the dignity they have held since 2014. Whatever happened in the 2022 season was a nightmare; the team rounded off the season with just one win with George Russell’s maiden win. But Lewis Hamilton, the man who used to win back-to-back, got nothing but a big wound last year.
However, no one can blame Hamilton for his bad performance because everyone had seen the times when Hamilton himself got out of the car and pushed it with his bare hands back into the pits. In 2018 Hamilton won the German Grand Prix from 14th on the grid. Even when the car was broken, he mended it on the track and surpassed Sebastian Vettel, and won everyone’s heart. The driver has proved himself to be the best from to time. But he can’t do anything if the car gives the bouncing issues.
Mercedes accepts it was their fault that they failed to adjust to the sudden new rule changes in 2022. Even George Russell complained about the same problems. So now, all anyhow, Mercedes will have to build a strong car. Only then can the team fulfill their contract with the seven-time world, as he had already said that he did not sign with Mercedes to get these types of cars. W13 is arguably the worst car that Mercedes has ever made, so it is justified whatever Hamilton or anyone in the world says about it.
Catching Up To The Level Of Red Bull Seems Hard For Mercedes
It is true that Mercedes will bring a stronger and better W14 this year. But there are some concerns and warnings for the team. The principal, Toto Wolff, is afraid to see the gaps Mercedes have made between its rivals, Red Bull and Ferrari. The entire 2022 season constituted battles between Ferrari and Red Bull for the run of the championship; Mercedes was never there in the title contention.
Toto Wolff believes that it will be very difficult for them to catch up to the level of Red Bull, the reigning champion team. In an interview with Motorsport.com, Toto Wolff said, “Mercedes is starting behind by half a second that is going to be difficult to catch up to such organizations like Red Bull and Ferrari.”
At present, the best thing for Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, team Mercedes, and its fans is to set expectations at a realistic level. Last year Red Bull got 17 Grand Prix wins, Ferrari got four, and Mercedes got only 1. The gaps of 16 and 3 wins, respectively, is not so small, and it is haunting Toto Wolff to keep high expectation in 2023. However, the boss believes in the potential that made them win the Brazilian Grand Prix with a spectacular one-two finish. And, so the hopes go on, the hard work keeps on, and the expectation remains alive. Let’s see how Mercedes moves from the third position to the first in the constructors this upcoming season.
