Mercedes Launches 2023 Car That Revives Powerful Aerodynamic Concept From 2009.
It’s back to black for Mercedes for 2023, but will it be back to the form that yielded eight successive constructors’ championships?
The Silver Arrows delivered a slick presentation from Silverstone on Wednesday, unveiling the black-liveried W14 with the team humble and cautious about their chances of taking the fight to Red Bull.
While cautious on the surface, Mercedes has once again made a bold move in the world of F1 aerodynamics after finding a loophole in the 2023 rulebook. After years of experimentation, Mercedes has returned to this controversial and banned aerodynamic concept called ‘outwash.’
This concept was used in 2009, when Jenson Button won the championship with the Brawn GP001, and has since been banned as other teams jumped on the aerodynamic approach. It involves moving large volumes of air away from the sides of the car, primarily by using a specifically shaped front wing.
In 2022, the FIA and Formula 1 introduced new regulations that mandated ‘ground effect’ downforce and minimized outwash. But while suffering from major porpoising and generally poor performance, Mercedes added parts to the W13’s front wing that would encourage a level of outwash. It was quickly banned by the FIA before it could race.
The FIA has since provided clarification on this rule, and for 2023, cars can now add components to their front wings to introduce outwash. If the car released today is to be believed to be the real car, Mercedes has done it in a genius way by integrating them close to the endplate as structural parts.
Team boss Toto Wolff, continuing drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, and new reserve Mick Schumacher were all present for Wednesday’s reveal, which will be followed by a shakedown at the British Grand Prix venue.
Mercedes enter 2023 looking to bounce back from a rollercoaster 2022 season, which started with severe porpoising but eventually yielded a return to winning ways – and third in the constructors’ standings – through plenty of hard work and a fair share of updates to the W13.
Speaking at the W14 launch, Wolff said: “Our hopes and expectations are always to be capable of fighting for a World Championship. However, our competitors were very strong last year, and we are playing catch-up.
“Racing at the front requires resilience, teamwork, and determination. We face up to every challenge, we put the team first, and we will leave no stone unturned in the chase for every millisecond. This year, we are going all in to get back in front.”