F1 Imola GP: Mercedes Confirms Major Upgrades for the W14 at Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Mercedes hopes that the improvements it makes in Imola will shed light on where the team went wrong with its current Formula 1 car, which is generally difficult to drive. The major upgrade includes changes to the sidepod, floor, and front suspension.

Mercedes had a rough weekend in Miami, as they struggled in both practice and qualifying before showing greater potential speed in the race. The team has acknowledged, however, that it has been impossible to pinpoint precisely what has gone wrong due to the W14's inconsistent performance. Mercedes is bringing a major upgrade to the upcoming race at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, including modifications to the sidepod, floor, and front suspension. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes that the new package is more important since it should provide some answers concerning the flaws in the existing vehicle rather than just a performance boost. Wolff does not anticipate Imola to immediately improve their performance situation, but he does think the insights they will learn will be useful in the long run. Aston Martin, a client team of Mercedes that also utilises Mercedes engines and components, is now ahead of the German team in the constructors' standings, while Red Bull is leading the overall 2023 championship.

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F1: Mercedes Struggles with W14

2023 Mercedes AMG PETRONAS W14 1

The eight-time constructors' champions have had trouble keeping up with Red Bull in 2022 and 2023, winning just once since the introduction of new aerodynamic regulations in 2022. James Allison and Mike Elliott, two significant personnel in the Mercedes Formula 1 team's technical department, switched jobs in an effort to improve the organisation's productivity.

The struggling Mercedes performed better-than-anticipated in Miami, with George Russell finishing fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth, but the team was eager to downplay expectations regarding the upgrades which are scheduled to arrive in time for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

F1 Imola GP: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, several races had to be postponed or rescheduled. To make up for the removal of other events, the calendar was altered to include the "one-off" Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as one of many new or returning Grands Prix.

While the 2020 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was planned as a one-off event, it was rescheduled to 18 April 2021 owing to the continuous nature of the COVID-19 epidemic. A deal to continue hosting the Grand Prix through 2025 was announced in early 2022.