Mercedes not yet focused on 2023: 'Determined to get to the front'

Mercedes repeatedly indicated during the 2022 Formula 1 season that it did not want to turn its back on the W13 concept. The team has stuck to this view and now the German team seems to be slowly getting back on track. The team still lags behind frontrunners Red Bull Racing and Ferrari, but it is not yet ready to give up hope of victory this year. So says Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin.

Mercedes continue to believe that they will secure a win this year and therefore does not yet want to fully focus on 2023. Moreover, the team wanted to wait and see what the FIA would decide about whether or not to introduce new rules to curb porpoising. Under the guise of 'safety', these rules have now been pushed through.

"In Formula 1 you never actually draw a line," Shovlin said in conversation with Formula1.com. He adds that the funds put into the development of the W13 will gradually flow into the funds for the W14 for next year. He continued: "But every team will have started some work on next year. The difference for us was the early part of the year was very tough, it wasn't making a lot of sense and it was really firefighting."

Meanwhile, according to the Brit, Mercedes have reached a stage where it can return to business-as-usual, providing all team members with renewed energy and motivation. "The team is determined to get back to the front. Our goal remains to be the fastest car; whether we can achieve that this year or is that going to take us till next year, I don't know, but we're all fighting very hard for that," said Shovlin.