The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 team introduced the Mercedes-AMG F2023 W1 E PERFORMANCE, which will compete in 14. Shaped as a result of what was learned from the difficult 2022 season, the W14 drew attention with its appearance. While the team retained the concept underlying the W13, development focused on key performance areas. This offers a combination of remarkable changes that preserve the distinctive DNA of its predecessors. Just like the corrugated body structure on the engine cover and other details below the surface.
The remarkable appearance of the car was not limited to its architecture. The iconic black look from 2020 and 2021 has been refined as part of the overall weight reduction project. The names that will drive W14 will be Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who have come together for their second season together, and will be supported by Mick Schumacher as the third driver.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said: zamBeing able to compete for the World Championship at the moment. On the other hand, our struggle with our rivals was very competitive last year. We are catching up too. Competing at the front requires endurance, teamwork and determination. We will overcome every challenge, put the team first, and leave no stone unturned in the battle that will be fought for every millisecond. This year, we are doing everything we can to get ahead again.” made his comment.
“A refined concept”
“Last year was tough for us, but we learned a lot,” Toto Wolff said. I hope 2023 will be the year we understand how to solve problems and improve the power of the car. The W13 certainly had a performance that we couldn't deliver to its potential and that we couldn't reflect all the downforce on the track. Our car performed very well at the end of the season. However, we were still experiencing porpoising on some tracks and the car was giving drivers nothing. zamThe moment didn't give good feedback, which limited them in being able to push the car to its limits. So, we tried to keep the good sides of W13 and fix its weaknesses.” He commented..
Areas of focus for the team include reducing overall weight, providing drivers with more consistent vehicle stability over a wider speed range, and better compliance of aerodynamics with aero regulations. This requires a focus on areas such as a significantly lighter chassis, revised front suspension geometry, cooling system tweaks and a refined aerodynamic concept based on last year's learning.
Mike Elliott said: “In the next generation of F1 cars, performance is in the details. When you look at W14, you see the DNA of W13 and the same zamYou will see so much evolution and improvements in details at once.” made his comment.
“New year, new motto: “All in Performance”
"Our forward colors will be silver and black," Toto Wolff said at the car's introduction last year. said, and the team returned to the latter for performance reasons in the 2023 car. The dominant color of the W14 will be stylish black carbon fiber.
Regarding the subject, Toto Wolff said, “Our car last year was quite heavy. This year we tried to find the points where we could save every gram of weight. So now history repeats itself. You will see that the vehicle has been painted matte black alongside some raw carbon parts. Of course, the main driving factor for us when we change the exterior in 2020 is every zamThe moment was to support the principles of diversity and equality that were in our hearts. The color black became part of our DNA at that point, so we are happy to return to it.” he said.
“Upcoming power unit development freeze rules and reliability fixes”
Thirty years after the creation of the Brixworth-built engine that allowed Mercedes to rejoin the Grand Prix races, the Northamptonshire factory is in action once again. With the power unit evolution freeze rules going into effect, the team's focus shifted to two key areas; reliability and software.
Hywel Thomas, General Manager of Mercedes AMG High-Performance Powertrains (HPP), stated that the challenges posed by last year's W13 were not just about the chassis. zammoment. We've had a lot of work to do before the season started, as we're past the last performance software freeze in this rule cycle. End zamWe've achieved the highest performance improvement in moments from the way we use the engine, and that means software upgrades. Knowing that this is the last opportunity for improvement in this field presented us with a real challenge to bring as much work together as possible. By the end of the season the engines were battered and damaged. In addition to the design changes made to the chassis, we also reviewed the changes made to the engine and we did it as a team. The biggest change to the Power Unit this year is reliability elements that will make us stronger once we detect the car has hit the ground.” said.
“Pre-season situation”
Pre-season testing in Bahrain will focus on reliability, correlation and learning. With only three days of track experience available before the first race weekend of the season, successful testing becomes a must.
Mike Elliott commented on pre-season testing: “Last year we never reached the potential with regard to the stability of the car. All the usual work we did at the start of the season was not possible due to the problems we were trying to fix. We need to learn as much as we can to figure out how to get the best performance out of the car and what we can learn to fuel further developments. On the chassis side, what they want to complete to learnzam there is a lot of work. We need to be in the background while doing our job and help increase the distance the car makes.” used the phrases.
Mike Elliott said, “This symbiotic relationship between Brackley and Brixworth has been crucial to the development of the team over the past year. “We worked together, figured out how we could take what we had on both sides and improve in all areas. It's exciting to see what the outcome of the continued intimacy this year is." said
“An enthusiastic team”
Lewis Hamilton said, “I've been a part of this team for over a decade and the effort people put in is always making me feel. zammoment surprised. I find it inspiring that employees approach their work with such zeal and passion.” said.
George Russell agrees, “I've been incredibly impressed with the way the team has developed the car over the past season. We've gained momentum through 2022 and we're excited to see how that progresses over the winter.” he said.
“First thoughts on W14”
George Russell on the W14 “Looks great aesthetically! It's bold, aggressive and stands out." saying; Lewis Hamilton said: "It's fascinating to see the evolution of the car and the changes that have been made. We redesigned, optimized, refurbished many parts of the car and what came out is quite impressive. And I love the new look! It almost screams, "We're not kidding." made his comment.
Lewis Hamilton, who came out of the first season without a win in his career, is very motivated and looks like he will return this season. "I'm excited to race again," said Hamilton. I feel calm, energized and my focus has sharpened. I am ready to do whatever it takes to win.” he said.
Lewis and George will start their second season as teammates, but there has been a change in reserve driver for 2023. Mick Schumacher joined the team after two years as a racing driver for the Haas F1 team.
“Continue with Petronas until 2026”
It has been announced that the ongoing Trade Title and Technical Partnership between PETRONAS and the team will be extended from the 2026 season. Regarding their partnership with PETRONAS, Toto Wolff said, “PETRONAS is not just partners anymore, we are a family and we will be one team for many years to come. We are excited to be racing into the future with PETRONAS, driven by the ambition to once again set the standard in our track performance and spearheading the transition of a global sports team to a net zero future.” he said.
“New sponsorships”
The team also announced the latest sponsors to join the family. A strategic partnership will be carried out with the American multinational Qualcomm Technologies and the Snapdragon brand. The team is also collaborating with Abu Dhabi-based technology group G42 to use artificial intelligence (AI) to develop and improve people's abilities and lives.
Near zamFollowing the four agreements announced at the moment, the latest global players to partner with the team before the 2023 season are as follows:
“As a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge cordless power tools and garden equipment, Einhell has become the team's 'Official Tool Specialist'.
Vehicle lifecycle management company Solera and payment technology company Nuvei have also agreed to multi-year partnerships with the team.
Sherwin-Williams has also joined the team as an approved supplier of automotive paints and coatings for F1 cars.”