Toyota had a budget of $622 million for the 2008 F1 season [adjusted for inflation as of 2023]. While F1 has managed to cap these outrageous budgets and the advantage that they brought with the help of cost cap, still $135 million dollars is a lot. Nonetheless, Toto Wolff agrees with Lewis Hamilton to unveil Mercedes’ future plans as the Silver Arrows gear up to take a $11 Million Blow. What did Toto Wolff say?

Mercedes is currently 2nd in the standing but has lost ground in terms of performance to Ferrari. Aston Martin is also right behind them, with extensive upgrade packages planned for the remaining 2023. As a result, holding onto this second place seems tough. So what is this $11 million blow, you may ask? It’s the Prize Money difference between 2nd and 3rd in the constructors. 

Lewis Hamilton recently suggested that, while Mercedes has made progress recently, it is much more important for the team to be better suited for the future and be competitive in 2024. Toto Wolff agreed to what Lewis Hamilton said as he advised that 2nd or 3rd anyway isn’t what Mercedes aim for as they gear up to take the $11 Million blow.

According to formulapassion.it, Toto Wolff said “We have no choice. These placements are not our goal, we want to get back to the top and win the championship. It won’t happen this year, so we need to look at 2024, taking advantage of the next races to learn and develop the W14 in order to have the improvements on the next car as well.” [Translated Via Google]

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However, the trusted James Allison believes in continuing the development of the W14 for the current season. He advises that it’ll be the better option for the team in the present as well as the future. Let’s see what he had to say.

“Invest in both years”: James Allison proposes the Mercedes development status

Just like the 2023 regulations were more of an evolution of the 2022 ones, teams expect the same for the 2024 regulations. As a result, James Allison suggests that there are some key areas on the W14 that Mercedes need to keep developing. And it won’t go in vain as the iodate will not only help with the current car but also the 2024 ones. 

According to Formulapassion.it, James Allison said, “We are only in the middle of the season and there is still a lot to be developed on these cars. All the teams, of course, will turn their attention to next year and this will put us a bit in crisis in terms of the speed of improvement of our cars.” He then added, “The feeling is that with these updates you invest in both seasons.” [Translate Via Google]

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What do you think? Are Mercedes and Toto Wolff firm about their future plans?