In the round-up: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says that the next two months of development work on their 2023 car are “crucial”
In brief
Next two months of development “crucial” for Mercedes’ 2023 chances – Wolff
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says that the next two months of development work on their 2023 car are “crucial” to their hopes of being race winning and championship contenders for next season.
The eight-time consecutive constructors’ championship winning team will almost certainly lose their crown to Red Bull this year after failing to secure a race win so far in 2022, with Mercedes’ W13 often performing differently on track to how the team’s simulations predicted. Wolff says that the coming weeks are critical to their work on making sure their 2023 car performs more predictably.
“We lacked the tools, the simulations and the understanding of uncovering the problem that we would create with the way the car was developed,” said Wolff. “That we couldn’t run it where we wanted to run it. Aerodynamically and mechanically, it was never in the sweet spot. It took us months to undo some of the steps we’ve done.
“It’s not like that I believe we’ve discovered the Holy Grail and we understand everything and it’s going to be a blast next year. This is now a crucial period. Literally over the next one-to-two months we need, with a certain degree of precision, to understand what needs to be done for next year.”
IndyCar champion Power “already thinking about next year”
IndyCar champion Will Power says he’s already thinking about how to defend his title in 2023 despite only receiving the Astor Cup winner’s trophy at the weekend.
Power secured his second IndyCar title at the final race at Laguna Seca earlier this month. The 41-year-old Penske driver said he did not feel overwhelming delight at securing his second championship.
“It’s not massive,” Power said. “Crossing the line and all that, not a huge upper like I have had when I won the 500 or when I won my first championship. It’s just like ‘job done, what’s next?’. That’s kind of how I feel. It’s not really not thinking about it much, already thinking about next year. I just can’t help myself.”
Morgatto crowned karting world champion
Brazilian karter Matheus Morgatto dominated the FIA Karting World Championship final at Sarno in Italy to be crowned world champion for 2022.
The 18-year-old led all 20 laps of the race from pole position…
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