Mercedes Crib About “Expensive” Problems as $135,000,000 Handicap Puts Lewis Hamilton’s Future With the Team Under Serious Threat

It goes without saying that every aspect of an F1 car is unique and contributes to making the car faster. However, apart from going fast, most forget an F1 car needs to be stable as well to tackle the corners at such high speeds. This is where most races are won or lost. This was exactly the area where Mercedes was lacking in the entirety of the 2022 season. The upgrades they introduced in Monaco have been a boost. In fact, the team back in Brackley has already identified another potential area of improvement. However, everything comes at a cost and this could very well be the tipping point for Lewis Hamilton to decide on his future.

The Brit is yet to sign a contract extension with Mercedes. According to popular opinion, the deliberation is because of the poor state of the W14. Even though Hamilton’s nagging did get the team to agree to introduce changes, it’s still not enough. Most believe Hamilton will only agree to continue if he sees a realistic chance of winning another championship with Mercedes. However, even if the team has upgrades in place, they can’t implement them because of the $135 million budget cap. Mercedes’s chief engineer Andrew Shovlin revealed that in a recent interview as quoted by Motorsport-Total.

“We have basically developed a new suspension for this year. Suspensions are expensive, so depending on the championship level we always have to look at the costs. But there is a lot of potential in this area that we can now explore,” revealed Shovlin.

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The team might introduce these changes in 2024 if the budget cap restricts the Silver Arrows. Despite this nagging problem, the British engineer is staying hopeful.

Andrew Shovlin is hopeful the team will deliver a complete “package” for Lewis Hamilton and Co.

Shovlin also revealed that the team had to take a decision as to what direction to move in. The team could either tackle the front suspension problem or the rear. However, the Brackley outfit went with the first, but the rear cannot be ignored forever. This is why they will have to bring continuous upgrades and which is why the cost cap is a problem. However, the British engineer is hopeful and looking for all possible solutions.

“I hope that we are moving in the right direction now,” says Shovlin. However, he believes this is part of the process. He said, “Every team has to go through this process. We are looking at the possibilities and looking for a solution so that both areas work together and form a package.”

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We are not sure exactly how expensive the upgrade packages are and how much room is still left in the budget cap. However, even if the team can make enough progress to get a better starting point before the 2024 season, it will be a win.