Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff admits the side’s 2022 Formula 1 car is his “biggest mistake in recent years” but defended the decision to retain that concept for last season.
The German marque had enjoyed an unprecedented run of eight consecutive Constructors’ titles as F1 entered a new era of technical regulations at the start of 2022.
However, Mercedes has been unable to replicate that success upon the sport’s return to ground effect machinery and have only logged one victory in the past two years.
Mercedes caught the eye at pre-season testing in 2022 when it unveiled an ambitious interpretation of the rules with a remodelled W13 car featuring radically slim sidepods.
Having been caught out by the unexpected porpoising phenomenon, a breakthrough 1-2 finish at the penultimate round in Brazil prompted Mercedes to preserve the ‘zeropod’ philosophy into the following year.
But a tough opening to the past campaign saw Mercedes opt to abandon the solution, introducing a revised W14 challenger with conventional bodywork in Monaco in May.
As it endeavours to return to title contention with an overhauled car concept in 2024, Wolff concedes that he holds regrets over Mercedes’ initial approach to the regulations.
“The W13 was my biggest mistake in recent years,” Wolff told BILD. “We took the wrong approach to building the car for the 2022 season, it wasn’t the correct path.
“Confirming this concept in 2023 was the second big mistake, but I defend this decision, given that we had won in Brazil.
“Every team would have considered that weekend as a starting point for the new season. More than half of the team was convinced that the situation was improving.”
While an improved run enabled the team to pip Ferrari to second, Mercedes ended 2023 without a single win and lagged a huge 454 points behind the dominant Red Bull outfit.
Despite having overseen much success at the helm of the Brackley-based squad, Wolff explains how Mercedes’ recent barren run has been a test of his leadership qualities.
“Criticizing the team in front of the media is part of a balancing act that I haven’t always managed to master perfectly,” Wolff said.
“Many employees are motivated when they see an ambitious boss, but sometimes I cross the line. I have to take chamomile tea before interviews to calm down.
“If I have been too harsh, on Monday I go back to the factory and apologise. This is also part of good leadership.”
