Toto Wolff reveals disappointing truth about Mercedes’ F1 entry for 2023 — FormulaNerds.com

After playing their part in one of F1’s greatest-ever title battles in 2021, Mercedes struggled to keep up with their rivals in 2022. Although the Silver Arrows are looking to mount another challenge in 2023, team boss Toto Wolff isn’t so sure.

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“[I’m] never confident,” Wolff told GPFans.com. “I’m a glass-half-empty guy, never believing the job we are doing is good enough.”

Mercedes just missed out on a P2 finish in the constructors’ standings after struggling heavily with the new car regulations that took effect at the start of the 2022 season. The bouncy W13, Mercedes’ 2022 F1 entry, caused serious headaches for the Brackley-based outfit and even posed alarming physical threats to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, both of which suffered from back injuries.

Wolf added:

“I’m not sure at all whether we can bounce back to a position where we can compete for a championship,”

“You need to acknowledge the competition is strong, but we will do everything in our power – everything – to set our objectives high and try to reach them.”

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Reports have suggested that Mercedes’ entry for 2023 will be very aesthetically similar to the car we saw bounce around the world in 2022. With the FIA’s new regulations implemented to reduce porpoising, Mercedes will get a brand new chance to get it right in 2023, which could allow Mercedes to challenge at the front of the grid once again.

So see

Wolff continued: “Last year it was taken away from us. This year we lost it on merit. We just weren’t good enough.”

“The regulations changed, we got it wrong but all the other pillars are still in place. I am 100% sure that this was a difficult year that was necessary for us to re-motivate and re-energize the organization.

“We won eight times in a row, more than 100 race wins. This has made us come back down to the ground to make us appreciate how it feels when you win, as in Brazil. In a few years we will be looking back and saying that was absolutely necessary.”

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