Mercedes Make Bold Choice With 2023 Challengers as Skeletons of the Past Continue to Exist

The 2022 season of F1 was challenging for each team as the new regulations had kicked in. However, it proved to be significantly more difficult for Mercedes, as they saw themselves being dethroned from the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2013. They saw an end to their dominance as Red Bull and Ferrari ushered in.

The team had to largely deal with proposing, breaking, and dragging throughout the season, which resulted in the team winning only once in the entire year. And despite these challenges endured in 2022, the team plans to stick to the same chassis in 2023 as well. 

The information was revealed by Toto Wolff, the team principal, after the end of the last season. As reported by SI, Wolff said, “The DNA of the 2023 car will be different from that of the current car, as we will change the architecture, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that our chassis will look very different from that of the W13.”

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The statement comes amid positive signs for the team, as they believe they are able to handle the porpoising and other issues. The postseason run in Abu Dhabi reportedly wrapped up the season well for the Brackley-based outfit.

Mercedes planned development for 2023 season

Considering reported development for the next year, the zero pod design is here to stay on the W14. As Mercedes is continuing to rework and redraw its aerodynamic designs, the car is believed to not change much and the team is probably building upon the developments they made last year.

The zero pod design was the one that grabbed the team its first headlines of the season. It was during the preseason testing when the Silver Arrows brought out the controversial design on the track. But as the racing began, their vulnerabilities, including their aerodynamics, shot open, pushing them to the middle of the grid. 

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Additionally, after putting in all the changes, Mercedes will debut its W14 close to the weight limit of 796 kg, reduced by two kilos from last year. The strategy might be similar to Red Bull’s in 2021. However, only time will tell what works out for them.