Formula 1: What major upgrades is Mercedes bringing to Monaco GP 2023?

The eight-time Constructors champions have had a disappointing campaign so far.

It's no secret that the 2023 F1 season has been a rollercoaster ride for Mercedes. From winning the Constructor's Championship 8 years in a row, to now being behind Aston Martin, it's clear that the German racing giant's new design language hasn't paid off.

However, according to a new report from motorsport.com, Mercedes is bringing some much-needed upgrades to the Monaco GP.

While teams like Ferrari and Aston Martin have chosen to hold onto their upgrades following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Mercedes has taken a different approach and confirmed significant changes for the upcoming race, including adjustments to the side pods, new bodywork, a revised floor, and a new front suspension on the W14.

During the post-race debrief after the Miami Grand Prix, Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes' Trackside Engineering Director, provided insight into the upgrades and explained that these modifications represent a significant departure for the W14 as they quickly realised that their car for the 2023 campaign lacked the competitiveness required to contend for the championship.

“We do hope it is quicker, we hope it is better in terms of qualifying and race pace. We are looking to head off in a different development direction, one that we think gives us a better chance in the long term of being able to challenge for race wins and world championships,” said Shovlin.

Is Monaco the right place to bring updates?

While the upgrades may enhance the car's performance, Monaco has always posed greater risks of accidents that could potentially damage the new components. Moreover, the bumpy layout, low-speed corners, and rapidly changing track surface would make it extremely challenging to gather valuable data on aerodynamic performance.

Despite the challenges presented by the Monaco circuit, Mercedes remains steadfast in their belief that the planned upgrades will deliver significant performance gains. Additionally, since the revised W14 was already transported to Imola before the cancellation, reverting to the older specification car would have posed logistical challenges as well.

Furthermore, it is important to note that these updates only represent the initial step in a long and meticulous process. Both Wolff and Shovlin emphasized that success in Formula 1 cannot be achieved through instant solutions, and continued dedication and refinement are essential.

“What we are going to be bringing to the track in Imola is the first step of that work. This takes quite a long time to develop in the wind tunnel, you can’t just do these things overnight,” said Shovlin.