Allison: Mercedes will see W14 as “weak car” until it’s the quickest
Mercedes’ technical director, James Allison, has spoken candidly about the team’s progress so far this season, conceding that their car still falls short of their high expectations. While the car is undoubtedly reliable, with an impressive pair of drivers at the helm, Allison acknowledges that it is not yet the fastest on the grid, leaving room for improvement. In terms of the car’s characteristics, he notes that it is relatively kind to its tires but lags behind some of the team’s previous designs in this regard. It boasts more downforce than most of its rivals, but again, it falls short of the team’s lofty standards. Critically, the car’s handling characteristics require work, and it is hoped that ongoing updates to the vehicle will address this issue.
Allison is hesitant to identify specific circuits that might favour the W14, explaining that the car is an evolving platform that can change significantly from race-to-race as new updates are created. However, he does suggest that the team tends to perform well on circuits that are front-limited, rather than those that are heavily rear-limited, such as Bahrain. With new updates set to arrive ahead of Azerbaijan, Allison is positive that Mercedes can continue to make gains and stay competitive.
While Allison acknowledges the significant challenge posed by rival teams, particularly Red Bull, he emphasizes that Mercedes is ultimately focused on improving its overall performance rather than targeting specific competitors. By identifying areas of opportunity and rapidly applying hardware or alternative solutions, the team hopes to stay on the steepest slope possible, improving its chances of success against any opposition. With a new package set to arrive in Azerbaijan, the team is optimistic about what lies ahead in the season.
Overall, while there is clearly work to be done, Mercedes remains one of the most exciting teams in F1, with a reputation for innovation and a constantly evolving platform that is sure to challenge its rivals as the season progresses.
