A peculiar rumour is stirring in the Abu Dhabi paddock. Mercedes is whispered to be contemplating an unusual strategy – deliberately conceding to Ferrari in the battle for second in the Constructors’ Championship. While Red Bull has already clinched the title, the fight for the runner-up spot remains a high-stakes game, albeit with an unexpected twist.
Mercedes, led by Toto Wolff, has been a paradigm of competitive spirit. Yet, in a candid moment with Sky Deutschland in Las Vegas, Wolff’s words hinted at indifference about second or third: “It’s about winning,” he said. “It makes a difference for the employees, including financially, but I don’t really care.” For an audience well-versed in F1’s intricacies, Wolff’s detachment might not be apathy but a bold strategic maneuver. The financial rewards of second place are substantial, but so are the developmental constraints imposed by the sport’s regulations.
The current F1 regulations craft a narrative where sometimes, less is more. Finishing third grants more wind tunnel development time – a critical asset for a formerly dominant team eyeing a resurgence. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher adds weight to this theory: “The regulations encourage such theories,” he notes, explaining the staggered wind tunnel allocation. For a top team recalibrating for a stronger 2024, the choice between immediate financial gain and long-term developmental advantage is a delicate balance.
“As the person responsible for a top team that wants to get back to the top in 2024, you’d have to carefully consider what is better,” Schumacher told Sport1.
Amidst this strategic conundrum, Ferrari stands publicly firm. Team boss Frederic Vasseur asserts their goal: to triumph over Mercedes. Charles Leclerc echoes this sentiment: “Yeah, this is clearly the target. It’s going to be tight.” Ferrari’s ambition isn’t confined to Abu Dhabi; it extends to challenging Red Bull’s supremacy in 2024. Carlos Sainz reinforces this vision: “I think it’s a realistic goal, yes… But I want the team to think that it is possible, because I think so.
“We have seen that if McLaren was able to take those steps during the season, I am perfectly convinced that Ferrari can do it during the winter break.”
Makes sense. Mercedes has the funding and don’t need to come second this year, given the real target is RB.