Wolff reveals key F1 area Mercedes can make gains

Wolff reveals key areas where Mercedes can succeed in F1.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 8:12 p.m

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has explained how his team will interpret the pit stop rules “completely differently” by 2024.

The Brackley team bounced back from a poor season in which they failed to win a single race due to inconsistent car performance and a dominant Red Bull team. With Wolff hoping the new W15 will be significantly different to the 2023 W14, the Austrian believes there is another aspect of the Austrian circuit days that Mercedes can improve.

New pit stop rules came into effect in 2021, aimed at reducing pit stop speeds to improve safety and prevent teams from using active systems to control pit stops. However, McLaren set a world record of 1.8 seconds last season and Red Bull also set a very impressive time.

McLaren has set a world record for the fastest F1 pit stop at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has not won since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Toto Wolff has tied both star drivers to new contracts which do not expire until the end of 2025.

Wolff believes his team may be too “conservative” in their approach to pit stops and is making a real effort to change that next season. “I think we had a very conservative interpretation of the rules that were written a few years ago,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ve seen other teams do things differently. So watch this space. I think it will be very different.”

Wolff believes Mercedes can make a comeback

Mercedes’ bid to reclaim the championship looks too distant next season, with Red Bull set to compete in 2023. But Wolf doesn’t give up.

“Always believe it’s possible.” He continued: “You can’t go into the season with the attitude, ‘It’s not going to work.’

“Last year we saw how much progress we made with McLaren in one renewal. We signed Lewis for two years and we have responsibility for him, George and the whole team for 2024 and 2025. I think it’s possible.”