2023 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[ValeVida46]

If it is the case then they may be able to do it earlier than I predict.

They are bringing the new sidepods for imola(?) that Mike Elliott said were an evolution of their current mid-wing idea I believe in his interview with Ted, saying it wouldn't be similar to anyone else's sidepod. Would they bin this update to rush in a downwashing sidepod that wouldn't even offer as much performance given they've said they don't find as much performance with other approaches? I'm not convinced that they would do that yet..

I'm not saying they're going to be 12 months behind. I'm saying that it's harder to switch the approach and find instant performance from a concept change now than at the start of the regulations. So if they go down that route, it may take longer before they want to put the downwashing sidepods into production as otherwise it might cost too much laptime in the short term. Mimicry will help certainly

With Bahrain GP result in the mirror, there was a lot of pressure applied to Elliot. And my take on the noise coming out of Brackley is they probably have 2 avenues in front of them that they're evaluating. The Elliott evolution which might be the final roll of the dice for zero/half/min pods and something (Either RB or Ferrari method) whichever is most pertinent and easy to switch to. As Wolff said, even with the updates, the numbers it's printed don't stack up to the gap they have to the front. They likely would've known this at Testing, and they likely also have a back up alternative, but I might be wrong in assuming that.

[Jdn1327]

Why can't they use the first lot of fly away races as an extended test?

[AR3-GP]

If it is the case then they may be able to do it earlier than I predict.

They are bringing the new sidepods for imola(?) that Mike Elliott said were an evolution of their current mid-wing idea I believe in his interview with Ted, saying it wouldn't be similar to anyone else's sidepod. Would they bin this update to rush in a downwashing sidepod that wouldn't even offer as much performance given they've said they don't find as much performance with other approaches? I'm not convinced that they would do that yet..

I'm not saying they're going to be 12 months behind. I'm saying that it's harder to switch the approach and find instant performance from a concept change now than at the start of the regulations. So if they go down that route, it may take longer before they want to put the downwashing sidepods into production as otherwise it might cost too much laptime in the short term. Mimicry will help certainly

With Bahrain GP result in the mirror, there was a lot of pressure applied to Elliot. And my take on the noise coming out of Brackley is they probably have 2 avenues in front of them that they're evaluating. The Elliott evolution which might be the final roll of the dice for zero/half/min pods and something (Either RB or Ferrari method) whichever is most pertinent and easy to switch to. As Wolff said, even with the updates, the numbers it's printed don't stack up to the gap they have to the front. They likely would've known this at Testing, and they likely also have a back up alternative, but I might be wrong in assuming that.

Hamilton seems to hint at things as well:

“Like, I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs,I know what a car doesn’t need.

"Of course, there are times where you’re not in agreement with certain team members, but what’s important is that we continue to communicate, we continue to pull together.

“I still have 100% belief in this team, and they’re my family and I’ve been here a long time, so I don’t plan on going anywhere else. But we all need a kick, we all need to get on.

“We’ve seen the proof is in the pudding, we’ve seen where the performance is and how people are extracting the performance, and we’ve got to now start making some bold decisions, some big moves in order to close the gap to these guys.”

It suggest that Mercedes technical team focused on areas of the car performance that Hamilton doesn't think was neccesary for a car a driver can really "race" with. It suggest he disagreed with a development direction. "The proof is in the pudding" remark is also telling.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/lewis-ham ... es-regret/

[Chuckjr]

Live by the sword...

[organic]

D'Ambrosio takes driver development role at Mercedes F1

Up until now, Mercedes explained that d'Ambrosio's presence was purely on an informal basis, as he was good friends with the squad.

However, the team was clear that he was not just having fun and there was the possibility of their relationship becoming something more serious.

Speaking at the Bahrain test last month, Wolff said: "He's been in Formula E and he's been a team principal of Venturi and finished second in the championship.

"And he's here as a friend, he's observing. Maybe something in the future, but not yet."

However, after being spotted in the paddock at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Mercedes team kit, the outfit has confirmed that he has now taken a formal role with the squad.

In his new role, d'Ambrosio will help look after the host of young drivers that Mercedes has on its books in various categories around the world.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/damb ... /10444358/

[Jdn1327]

D'Ambrosio takes driver development role at Mercedes F1

Up until now, Mercedes explained that d'Ambrosio's presence was purely on an informal basis, as he was good friends with the squad.

However, the team was clear that he was not just having fun and there was the possibility of their relationship becoming something more serious.

Speaking at the Bahrain test last month, Wolff said: "He's been in Formula E and he's been a team principal of Venturi and finished second in the championship.

"And he's here as a friend, he's observing. Maybe something in the future, but not yet."

However, after being spotted in the paddock at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Mercedes team kit, the outfit has confirmed that he has now taken a formal role with the squad.

In his new role, d'Ambrosio will help look after the host of young drivers that Mercedes has on its books in various categories around the world.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/damb ... /10444358/

Surely this must add momentum to the fact that neither Wolff or Hamilton might not be there next year?

[pursue_one's]

Sam Collins mentions during the Weekend Warm Up for the Saudi GP that Mercedes already has a model in the wind tunnel for 2024.

[mstar]

ANy pics of the new floor?

[ValeVida46]

Change of direction confirmed here by Russell.

We know a change of concept doesn't come without risks. But I think we all feel like we've got enough knowledge and information now to say that we weren't on the right tracks, and the targets that we set over the winter weren't the right ones. We need to change lanes as soon as possible.
Those decisions have already been made. And we've already started working towards them, as of probably Tuesday last week. How quickly that can be brought to the car, how quickly that's going to translate into performance is another question.

Looks like it will be a long 2023 for Merc

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/merc ... /10444547/

[organic]

Seems Angela Cullen has left Merc/Lewis to pursue other things

Seems like a very significant departure. End of an era

“Exactly 7 yrs ago on this day I was
standing in the F1 paddock for the first time at the Australian GP. Today I'm excited to share I'm off on my next adventure. I am so grateful and blessed to have had this incredible journey in F1 and I know my story will continue.

Thanks to the MB team, who have been my family for the past 7 years.
And @lewishamilton you GOAT !! It's been such an honour and pleasure to stand along side you. I'm so proud of you and everything you have achieved. Thank you for supporting me, believing in me and showing me the limitless potential we all have within us. I am so excited to watch the next chapter for you.
There's nothing you can't do.
Don't stop believing.
(…)
Still we rise!”

[Hoffman900]

Seems Angela Cullen has left Merc/Lewis to pursue other things

Seems like a very significant departure. End of an era

“Exactly 7 yrs ago on this day I was
standing in the F1 paddock for the first time at the Australian GP. Today I'm excited to share I'm off on my next adventure. I am so grateful and blessed to have had this incredible journey in F1 and I know my story will continue.

Thanks to the MB team, who have been my family for the past 7 years.
And @lewishamilton you GOAT !! It's been such an honour and pleasure to stand along side you. I'm so proud of you and everything you have achieved. Thank you for supporting me, believing in me and showing me the limitless potential we all have within us. I am so excited to watch the next chapter for you.
There's nothing you can't do.
Don't stop believing.
(…)
Still we rise!”

49yo, two kids, a husband… I’m sure she got to the point where she could retire or stay closer to home. The expanded schedule is brutal and I expect to see higher burnout up and down the grid over the next few years.

End of an era for sure.

[Lucky]

[AR3-GP]

Former employee, James Vowles, says Mercedes will be strong in Silverstone, Spain, based on what he knows of the package

“I think you’ll see Ferrari will be a lot closer to them here [in Jeddah] and it will be at tracks like Silverstone, Barcelona, where Mercedes will be mighty as a result of what I know of that package.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-vol ... es-mighty/

[mkay]

Former employee, James Vowles, says Mercedes will be strong in Silverstone, Spain, based on what he knows of the package

“I think you’ll see Ferrari will be a lot closer to them here [in Jeddah] and it will be at tracks like Silverstone, Barcelona, where Mercedes will be mighty as a result of what I know of that package.

https://www.planetf1.com/news/james-vol ... es-mighty/

I don't see how that'll be the case considering the poor tyre wear on the W14 and lack of downforce. W14 losing 6 tenths to RB through the fast sweeping Sector 1 at Jeddah.

[wogx]

Seems Angela Cullen has left Merc/Lewis to pursue other things

Seems like a very significant departure. End of an era

It's strange that she left after a bad race one of a new, long season. Wouldn't it be better for Lewis to work with a new person over the winter rather than looking for someone now?