Wolff: 'Clearly defined direction where to go with W14'

Mercedes entered the four-week spring break feeling good after the performance the team showed in Australia. Lewis Hamilton finished second, marking the first podium finish of 2023. Team boss Toto Wolff states that his formation has now clearly identified the direction in which further development is needed in the coming weeks and months.

The W13 behaved like a true diva in 2022. Sometimes the bolide went for no meter, sometimes there was suddenly an inexplicable extraordinary amount of pace. At the end of the season, Mercedes' engineers got a bit more grip on the car's behaviour, but in the winter break leading up to 2023, the racing team still made quite a few wrong choices.

Meanwhile, the necessary repair work is over and Mercedes is a lot more competitive than in the winter tests in Bahrain two months back. Wolff is happy that the W14 is looking a lot better by now. "In terms of car development, it is encouraging to see that within three races, we understand the car much better, we have defined a clear direction where we need to go and I believe we are on the right trajectory. We need to consolidate our understanding and hopefully, over the next few races we can make another step."

Consistency important for Mercedes

It is especially important for Mercedes to maintain stable performance in the coming races. Not just because that will earn them World Cup points if all goes well, but also for their own state of mind. "It's also important to keep on track and not oscillate too much between exuberance and depression; to stay rational and believe in our trajectory, believe in the capability of the team. There will be setbacks but there will also be upgrades and plenty of work that will help us get closer to the front."

Mercedes occupies third place in the constructors' championship after three Grands Prix. It collected 56 points, leaving it 67 points behind leader Red Bull Racing.