Mercedes hoped to introduce their upgraded Formula One car at Imola this weekend but the cancellation of the race means Lewis Hamilton and George Russell must wait until Monaco next week.
The package has been keenly awaited as evidence the former champions are back on the track of future success, but Monaco's special characteristics could make that hard to assess until Spain the weekend after.
A team spokesperson confirmed on Thursday the upgrades would be on the car around the tight and twisty streets of the Mediterranean principality.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton, who has not won a race since the end of 2021, had been particularly looking forward to Imola, but Monaco is another old favourite.
“Definitely been counting down the days for it,” the Briton said after the Miami Grand Prix when asked about the improvements.
“I’m hopeful that helps us take a step forward.”
Once dominant Mercedes decided they needed to go back to the drawing board with their 2023 car after they were only the fourth fastest team in the Bahrain season-opener.
After five races they are third overall, 128 points behind Red Bull.
Team boss Toto Wolff said in Bahrain the car, whose slimmed down sidepods are a marked contrast to the Red Bull that has won every race so far, was not going to be competitive without a change of concept.
Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin recognised after Miami continuing with the old package would not have allowed the team to fight for a world championship.
He said the aerodynamic changes marked “the first steps” in the right direction.
“We hope it is quicker, we hope it's better in qualifying and race pace,” he added.
“The key thing though is that we are not just looking to bring a lap time update, we are looking to head off in a different development direction.
“One we think gives us a better chance in the long-term of being able to challenge for race wins and world championships.”
Upgraded Mercedes will be put to the test in Monaco
Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Mercedes hoped to introduce their upgraded Formula One car at Imola this weekend but the cancellation of the race means Lewis Hamilton and George Russell must wait until Monaco next week.
The package has been keenly awaited as evidence the former champions are back on the track of future success, but Monaco's special characteristics could make that hard to assess until Spain the weekend after.
A team spokesperson confirmed on Thursday the upgrades would be on the car around the tight and twisty streets of the Mediterranean principality.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton, who has not won a race since the end of 2021, had been particularly looking forward to Imola, but Monaco is another old favourite.
“Definitely been counting down the days for it,” the Briton said after the Miami Grand Prix when asked about the improvements.
“I’m hopeful that helps us take a step forward.”
Once dominant Mercedes decided they needed to go back to the drawing board with their 2023 car after they were only the fourth fastest team in the Bahrain season-opener.
After five races they are third overall, 128 points behind Red Bull.
Team boss Toto Wolff said in Bahrain the car, whose slimmed down sidepods are a marked contrast to the Red Bull that has won every race so far, was not going to be competitive without a change of concept.
Mercedes' trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin recognised after Miami continuing with the old package would not have allowed the team to fight for a world championship.
He said the aerodynamic changes marked “the first steps” in the right direction.
“We hope it is quicker, we hope it's better in qualifying and race pace,” he added.
“The key thing though is that we are not just looking to bring a lap time update, we are looking to head off in a different development direction.
“One we think gives us a better chance in the long-term of being able to challenge for race wins and world championships.”
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