P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Russell: Mercedes’ 2024 F1 car won’t be as rushed as last year
Mercedes made the decision to continue with their ‘zeropod’ sidepod design and overall car concept from the W13, thinking it could challenge Red Bull after Russell’s win in the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. However, after the W14 performed poorly in testing and the season opener, they quickly abandoned this approach and updated the car with Red Bull’s downwash sidepod concept at the Monaco GP. The changes made covered various components, including the chassis layout, weight distribution, and airflow. George Russell expresses confidence in the new W15 concept, stating that more time and diligence have been put into its development compared to the rushed approach of the previous year. While acknowledging the significant gap to close with Red Bull’s dominant performance, he remains optimistic about avoiding the same mistakes and traps in the upcoming season.
