Wolff doesn't rule out 'radical' Mercedes chassis redesign

Toto Wolff has admitted that Mercedes' change of concept could extend as far as the chassis design, if they're unable to make sufficient aerodynamic gains with the current Formula 1 car. Prior to the first race of the season, Mercedes conceded that the design of their 2023 car was the 'wrong direction', and vowed to make dramatic changes aimed at solving their performance deficit. However, the exact nature of what will change has been the subject of discussion, with Mercedes already promising a sidepod design that moves away from their current 'zero sidepod' design. The team have already said that they have made 'big steps' into figuring out the deficiencies of the car. When asked by RacingNews365.com if their redesign intentions will go as far as creating a brand new chassis - which would involve passing stringent crash tests - Wolff responded: "No, I think that it's out of the question that you change the chassis, because simply there is not enough budget in the cost cap. But changing the way the aerodynamics work and bodywork is perfectly within the scope."

However, when pressed on their redesign priorities, Wolff conceded that if their attempts at generating more downforce with the current car proves insufficient, then the team are open to "more radical" decisions. "So when you speak about the chassis, the question is, do you speak about the monocoque and basically the tub or are we speaking about everything else around? "And I think the monocoque is one thing, and that's obviously there are weight implications, COG (Centre Of Gravity) implications, where does the driver sit, more forward or more rearwards. "But I think the biggest gains that we need to find is how can we extract more downforce all around the track. And these are the areas we are chasing now, and once you come to the conclusion in the next few months, that that was the right avenue, then things are going continue that way. "And if we see that is not enough to actually challenge for the front, then there might be more radical decisions that need to be taken."