Heading into the 2023 season, it was vital that Mercedes got their concept right, having struggled to even battle for podiums with the W13.
The zero sidepod design played a part in the W13’s major porpoising problem and general lack of competitiveness, with George Russell’s win in Brazil being the team’s only victory last year.
It took many people by surprise when the W14 drove out of the garage during Bahrain’s pre-season tests with the same zero sidepod design, despite Red Bull and Ferrari performing significantly better last year with more detailed and pronounced sidepods.
Mercedes team principal has already admitted that this decision to stick with their concept was a mistake, as the team only managed to finish in P5 and P7 at the Bahrain Grand Prix, even after Charles Leclerc’s retirement.
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Aston Martin use Mercedes engines but have adopted Red Bull’s design this season, seeing them score a podium in Bahrain and further prove that Mercedes’ concept is flawed.
Clearly frustrated by his team’s performance, Lewis Hamilton sensationally suggested that his team owe him an apology, as he told Mercedes what was wrong with the W13 and what needed to be done but they chose not to listen to him.
Whilst this tension has led to suggestions that Hamilton could walk away from Mercedes at the end of this season when his current contract expires, Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle has suggested otherwise.
“Quite clearly Lewis feels that he’s not getting enough traction just chatting to them. He obviously feels they’re not paying enough attention and has had to go public with that. It is highly unusual because he is always the ultimate team player really,” he explained.
“Formula One drivers are embedded within a team in both directions. You’re comfortable with the people around you, you get to know your engineer and your performance engineers and your strategists.
“On your other foot you’ve got the team. They design a car around you, your size in the cockpit, your preference as to how the car handles. Marketing, sponsorship. The word I used was embedded.
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“A driver like Lewis is not going to just want to go somewhere else in a hurry. It’s not a tantrum. He’s obviously felt the need to go public with something because he felt he wasn’t being listened to closely enough within the team.”
Both Hamilton and Wolff have claimed that the 38-year-old will extend his current contract with Mercedes, despite it being expected that a deal would be reached over the winter.
With Hamilton desperate to win a record breaking eighth world title, he will be hoping that Mercedes can drastically improve their performance this season.