Toto Wolff reveals drastic Mercedes changes that will give Lewis Hamilton hope
Toto Wolff has explained that Mercedes will change “almost every component” in their design path for the W15 this winter. This will come as great news to Lewis Hamilton, who had been looking forward to seeing the back of the team’s 2023 challenger for weeks ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes left the final race of the campaign with a small victory to celebrate as George Russell’s second podium of the season ensured that the Silver Arrows pipped Ferrari to second place in the Constructors’ Championship by a margin of just three points.
However, in the larger picture, this achievement will mean very little to the eight-time champions. They finished 451 points behind Red Bull at the top of the standings, with the Austrian constructor winning 21 of the 22 Grand Prix and never really looking able to challenge for victory, save at the Circuit of the Americas.
Discussing the team’s next steps at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, Wolff said, “We are changing the concept. We are completely moving away from how we laid out the chassis, the weight distribution, and the airflow.
Asked at the Yas Marina Circuit whether or not he was happy to be saying goodbye to Mercedes’ 2023 challenger, Hamilton responded: “I wouldn’t say that I’m relieved. I’m definitely happy it’s nearly over.