Monaco race, dangerous to introducing major new components for Mercedes

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Monaco race is not deemed ideal for introducing major new components

Mercedes has planned substantial improvements for their W14 car, which has been lacking performance at Amola, in order to regain a competitive position in the championship. However, the event was canceled due to severe flooding in northern Italy, prompting Mercedes to reassess their plans.

The upcoming race in Monaco is not deemed ideal for introducing major new components due to the unique nature of the narrow street circuit. As a result, questions have arisen regarding whether to present these new parts in Monaco or wait until the Grand Prix in Spain at Barcelona the following week.

Currently, Mercedes occupies the third position in the championship with 96 points, trailing Red Bull, the leaders, by 128 points. They head to Monaco with only one podium finish this season, which was Lewis Hamilton's second place in Melbourne. The challenging handling of the W14 has been emphasized by the team's director, Toto Wolff. Hamilton has also expressed his impatience regarding the arrival of Mercedes' improvements after the Miami Grand Prix.

The urban circuit of Monaco presents a higher risk of accidents, which could quickly damage the new parts. Additionally, the bumpy track surface, low-speed corners, and changing track conditions complicate the collection of valuable data on aerodynamic performance.

Despite these challenges, the team has decided to continue using the new parts as soon as possible rather than waiting for the Spanish Grand Prix. Several factors have contributed to this decision. The team is confident that the improvements, such as the new sidepods, revised floor, and different front suspension, will bring a tangible performance enhancement. Therefore, there is no reason to delay their introduction.

An important factor is the lack of confidence from drivers Hamilton and Russell in the car, particularly during braking. The suspension changes aim to address this, making it logical to implement these modifications in a location where any performance gain could be highly beneficial.

Another factor is that it would be more challenging for Mercedes to revert to their previous specification car rather than using the new one. The revised version of the W14 has been transported to Molar and is directly sent to Monaco. Returning to the original package would have been a difficult logistical challenge, requiring a change of plans from the initial strategy and reinstalling all components for the Monte Carlo weekend.

The decision to bring these improvements was made as early as Bahrain when it became evident that the existing package would not allow them to compete with Red Bull for the World Championship. This led Mercedes to make decisions regarding the car's development, aerodynamics, features, and behavior.

The planned improvements for Amola represent the first step in this new development direction. Mercedes hopes to bring further updates later in the year, aiming to improve performance in both qualifying and races. However, it is important not to expect immediate performance improvements. The primary focus is on resolving stability and predictability issues, laying the groundwork for progressive improvements in lap times and overall car behavior.

Mercedes' decision to pursue a different development direction for their car reflects Toto Wolff's determination to address stability issues and improve the team's performance. The team manages expectations and emphasizes that instant improvements should not be expected. The main objective is to achieve a certain level of stability and progress in that direction to effect real changes.