The Mercedes team arrived at the Monaco Grand Prix with a significantly revised W14 car that features new front suspension and more conventional sidepods. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively. However, Russell received a five-second penalty for rejoining the track in an unsafe manner after hitting Red Bull's Sergio Perez at Mirabeau.
Despite the less-than-impressive result, Wolff considered it progress from last year's Monaco Grand Prix performance, which he described as "awful." He added that his drivers had noted the car was "not good," but welcomed the step forward.
Wolff explained that the new baseline set by the upgraded car required careful handling. The team would need to collect more data to understand how to optimize the car's set-up for future races. Given their long-standing dominance in the sport, he also acknowledged that it was encouraging to see Mercedes in the mix with Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Mercedes Team Boss focus for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend will be to understand how to set up the new car and optimise its performance. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to get on with development once a direction has been decided. The team managed to win a race at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix with an older, less-than-optimal package.
The team boss also noted that the car struggled more as the track surface in Monaco increased grip. This was mainly due to ride and low-speed downforce, which was not typical of other tracks. As they moved to tracks with mid-and high-speed corners, Wolff expected better performance from the car.
Mercedes has a reputation for excellence in Formula 1, having won eight consecutive constructors' championships and seven consecutive drivers' championships between 2014 and 2021. The team's performance in the 2022 season was less impressive, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen winning the drivers' championship and constructors' championship.
The team's struggles continued into the 2023 season, with Red Bull and Aston Martin mounting a serious challenge to Mercedes' dominance.
Mercedes has been under pressure to improve its car's performance and match Red Bull's or Aston Martin's pace this year. The upgraded W14 car represents the team's significant investment of time and resources. Wolff's comments after the Monaco Grand Prix suggest that the team remains committed to improving the car's performance and staying competitive with their rivals.
The Spanish Grand Prix will be another test of Mercedes' upgraded car. With more data and insights into how to optimize the car's set-up, the team may be able to close the gap with Red Bull and other rivals. As Wolff noted, Mercedes is good at grinding away at development once they decide on a direction. If they can find the right direction for their upgraded car, they might be able to retain their position as one of the top teams in Formula 1.