Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes suffered a sad end to the 2023 season, but Toto Wolff’s latest comments give both sides new hope.
Toto Wolff explained that Mercedes will change “almost every component” of its W15 design this winter. It’s great news for Lewis Hamilton, who has been waiting to see the 2023 race team for weeks before the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes had a small victory to celebrate in the final race of the season as George Russell’s second podium finish of the year ensured the Silver Arrows edged out Ferrari by just three points for second place in the Constructors’ Championship.
But in the grand scheme of things, this achievement means very little to the eight-time winners. After winning 21 of 22 Grands Prix, the Austrian constructor finished 451 points behind Red Bull at the top of the standings and never looked likely to challenge for victory except at the Circuit of the Americas. At a post-season test in Abu Dhabi, Wolff spoke about the team’s future plans, saying: “We are changing the concept.” We radically deviate from the originally designed platform, weight distribution and airflow arrangement.
“Almost every element is changed because I think that’s the only way we have a chance. We can also make mistakes. So everything is possible, including missing our goals, catching up, taking a big step and competing at the top. Hamilton, who happily exited the W14 series after a terrible campaign in the finals, will be delighted to hear the news.
The seven-time world champion struggled for points in the penultimate round in Abu Dhabi after a chaotic weekend in Las Vegas. Asked if he was happy to say goodbye to Mercedes’ 2023 contender at the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton said: “I wouldn’t say I’m relieved.” I’m glad it’s almost over, for sure. It is more volatile than ever. It just goes up and down.
Every corner is incredibly unbalanced and unpredictable from the moment you hit the brakes to the point where you reach maximum acceleration. In the drivers’ championship, the seven-time world champion finished third, behind only Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. Hamilton still hopes to win a record eighth championship, but it depends on how the W15 series goes.
