The 2023 Formulation 1 season for Mercedes is getting off to the same begin to the 2022 season. Whereas final 12 months the crew struggled with physics, aerodynamics and porpoises, this season’s efficiency appears to be the issue.
After final week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, the temper within the Silver Arrows camp appears reasonably depressed. George Russell is already reflecting on subsequent 12 months, Lewis Hamilton admits the crew was “fourth quickest” in Bahrain and laments the crew did not hearken to him when designing the 2023 challenger, and crew principal Toto Wolff referred to as the Bahrain Grand Prix “one in all our worst days in racing. “
It’s definitely time for Mercedes to vary the scenario. There have even been indicators of progress over the previous two weeks, with their enchancment from a number of shaky testing periods to the Bahrain end line. Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich mentioned the identical factor after the Bahrain grand prix when he mentioned F1TV that “…in case you have a look at them from day one in all testing, you will see that they’ve actually improved. I feel like final 12 months they began actually unhealthy however they can take a step ahead so I feel they’ll make a superb step ahead in the course of the season.
The crew additionally introduced this week that “seen modifications” are coming in W14. In a video abstract shared by the crew, Andrew Shovlin, the crew’s Director of Trackside Engineering, talked concerning the W14’s sidepod design – which has been some extent of competition for the final two seasons – and what the crew is seeking to obtain over the following few races:
“You will notice seen modifications within the automobile.”
Shov responds to yours #Bahrain GP questions in our first @akkodis_global 2023 Race Abstract
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Workforce (@MercedesAMGF1) March 9, 2023
However the greater query dealing with the crew is probably not whether or not they can flip issues round, however whether or not the continuing mind drain they’ve confronted over the previous couple of seasons will make that course of tougher. Over the previous two seasons, Mercedes has misplaced quite a lot of expertise to rival groups, an integral a part of an operation that has secured eight consecutive constructors’ championships and 7 consecutive titles for Hamilton.
One such journey? Phil Prew, who spent six years at Mercedes after beginning his F1 profession with McLaren. He was a race engineer for McLaren within the early years and helped Hamilton win his first Drivers’ Championship in 2008 when Hamilton was racing for McLaren. On the time he left Mercedes, Prew was chief engineer of the powertrain crew.
When Prew’s transfer was introduced, Crimson Bull crew boss Christian Horner famous that it was an indication of the place the crew wished to take their energy items. “I’m delighted to have Phil be a part of the crew and he has an exceptional monitor document. He has been a key factor in Mercedes’ current success and once more that is one other assertion of intent for the place we need to be with the facility unit,” Horner mentioned on the time. “I feel we have gathered nice power and depth into the enterprise and it is incredible to see it actually come collectively and are available to life. Phil is one in all a number of key signings in current occasions to enhance the very proficient group of individuals we’ve got already assembled.
Crimson Bull has since introduced an settlement with Ford to develop energy items beginning within the 2026 F1 season.
Prew has but to begin working with Crimson Bull as there’s an understanding that there will likely be a “gardening interval” earlier than he can be a part of the crew, after transferring from a senior position at Mercedes.
Prew is not the one former Mercedes member to affix Crimson Bull. Ben Hodgkinson, who began at Mercedes in 2001 and was their head of mechanical engineering, left Mercedes in early 2022. Beneath the settlement between the 2 groups, Hodgkinson might begin at Crimson Bull in Might 2022.
The transfer was made with the long run in thoughts, with Crimson Bull aiming to construct its personal energy items in partnership with Ford. By the point an settlement was reached on the beginning date, Horner had spoken extremely of Hodgkinson. “We’re thrilled to welcome Ben to Crimson Bull Powertrains as Technical Director,” mentioned Horner on the signing of the contract. “He’s becoming a member of this extraordinarily thrilling undertaking as a confirmed race winner and innovator able to main a like-minded crew of extremely expert engineers.”
Hodgkinson wore many various hats throughout his time at Mercedes. He began as a design engineer in August 2001 earlier than spending a while as a growth engineer after which as a growth crew chief.
In August 2004, he took the place of undertaking crew chief and labored on this place till 2007. Finally, Hodgkinson grew to become the top of the mechanical engineering crew in September 2017.
This well-rounded CV provides him a wealth of data, information that he now brings to Crimson Bull.
The most recent Mercedes departure? James Vowles, who left his position as director of motorsport technique to develop into the brand new crew principal at Williams. Some in F1 circles, corresponding to former driver Vitaly Petrov, have questioned why Mercedes allowed Vowles to tackle a brand new position, given what he meant to the crew. “Truthfully, I might by no means let him go,” Petrov mentioned on the time.
Regardless of this, Wolff maintained on the time that there was a succession plan in place and he was assured the crew had the correct individuals to maneuver ahead. “There isn’t any hole behind as we’ve got been discussing succession planning on this space for a few years,” mentioned the Mercedes crew boss. “We’ve got an extremely proficient crew of strategists. We’ve got 9 individuals, some at a really excessive stage who are usually not all the time on the entrance line, and a few who’ve developed inside the group. That they had flown the aircraft alone for the previous six months, and earlier than that it had solely been beneath James’s supervision. So I really feel very snug with the construction that goes ahead. And it isn’t like there’s immediately a fantastic weak point.”
And for his or her half, the Silver Arrows make their very own strikes. Astute observers have observed that Jayne Poole, previously Crimson Bull’s chief working officer, was carrying Mercedes livery in Bahrain. This prompted Wolff and the crew to substantiate that she had been employed as a particular adviser to help the crew internally.
And maybe to assist the crew take care of the mind drain of the previous couple of seasons.
“As a company, you should all the time be ready to lose members,” Wolff mentioned final month. “There have been many occasions when individuals have been promoted and left a vacant place behind or moved to a different crew, and for me that is simply proof that we’re creating and dealing with proficient individuals.”
Now these individuals will likely be put to the take a look at as Mercedes faces one other problem to excellent their challenger for the 2023 season. For his or her sake, let’s hope this can be a problem the crew can resolve sooner than final season.