“We are flat out in 2022″– Toto Wolff discusses the 2022 project of Mercedes, as it views to extend its dominance in Formula 1.
Mercedes has undisputedly ruled over Formula 1 since the start of the hybrid era, and even this year, it is cruising away with the title, with Red Bull still putting its efforts.
While we are in 2021, Toto Wolff has a long commitment with Mercedes and is already mapping a plan for Mercedes that will keep them at the top even in 2022.
“We are obviously churning along and trying to bring tweaks to the car and trying to understand the car and the tyres,” Wolff told Sky Sports F1 at the Monaco GP. “But we are flat out in 2022.”
“There will be tiny tweaks [to the W12] that will be coming but I think it’s more understanding the concept of this year’s car, it’s where we are looking for lap-time gain.”
There is more untapped inherent potential.
Before the start of the season, it looked like Mercedes could finally be dethroned by Red Bull, but four races into the season and Mercedes revealed it would not be that easy.
“We are confident that we can fight for it,” added Wolff. “This championship is going to go very long, and we believe that there is lap time left in our car, in our power unit and in understanding the set-up rather than adding a tenth or two in downforce.”
With new regulations kicking in 2022, most teams are already preparing for the challenge in the following year, and Mercedes realizes that having a disadvantage in 2022 could be fatal.
“Next year’s rules are going to be there for many years and if you start with a disadvantage that’s going to obviously bite you not only next year but in the years to come.”
