In response to positive feedback from simulator driver Anthony Davidson, Toto Wolff has cautiously expressed hope that Mercedes appears to have made progress with their car ahead of the 2024 Formula One season.
The Silver Arrows had a lengthy run of dominance in the sport, but since the new ground effect regulations were implemented in 2022, they have struggled against some of their rivals. They only managed one victory in that campaign before going without victory in 2023.
However, with the team deciding to change the concept of their car for the upcoming season, Wolff has previously stated that the squad “have a chance” to challenge Red Bull. This appears to be supported by comments from former F1 driver and current TV pundit Davidson, who does simulator work for Mercedes.
In a recent conversation with Davidson when he was driving in Melbourne [in the sim]. Davidson said, “It feels like a car for the first time in two years.”
Wolff further added, “Obviously I would love this to correlate to the track but we’ve seen in the last two years that this was not always the case.”
While Wolff is hesitant to make bold predictions, the team boss has emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude toward whether Mercedes can return to championship-winning form.
“Always believe it’s possible. You cannot start the season with an attitude of, ‘This is not going to be possible.’ We saw last year with McLaren, what a huge step they made with a single upgrade. We’ve signed a two year deal with Lewis [Hamilton], and we owe it to him, to George [Russell] and to all the team to give it our full attention in 2024 and 2025. I think it’s possible,” said Wolff.
Wolff recently signed a new contract that will keep him as Team Principal and Chief Executive at Mercedes until the end of 2026. Despite the outfit’s difficult times over the last two years, the Austrian says he “feels good”.
“I’m part of this team in various functions. I’m a co-shareholder. I’m on the board. These are things which will not change whatever executive, or non-executive, role I have.”
“But I feel good. The risk for me is always more bore-out than burnout. And that’s why I embrace the challenges we have today, even though they sometimes feel very, very difficult to manage.”
Also Read: Haas F1 Team’s 2024 Season Kickoff: VF-24 Launch, Shakedown, and Pre-Season Testing Schedule
Mercedes will launch their 2024 car on February 14 at Silverstone, with the season’s first race weekend starting on February 29 in Bahrain.
