Mercedes suffer 'setback' with 2019 engine concept

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has revealed that the team has suffered from a setback relating to its engine development for the 2019 season. The Silver Arrows is continuing to push to keep up its stretch of success in Formula 1 in the turbo hybrid era.

Since 2014, the German manufacturer has picked up ten out of the ten driver's and constructor's championships. In the opening years of the new engine regulations, the Mercedes power unit was uncontested in terms of pace and reliability.

However, ahead of the 2019 season, it has hit a mishap: "There is a tremendous development race that is happened as we speak,” said Wolff. “Finding downforce, reducing drag and of course the engine is a very important part, adding more horsepower to the engine.

“So we are setting ourselves really ambitious targets. We have actually increased the targets six weeks ago because we heard some rumours that others were doing well.”

“We’ve had a little bit of a setback on the engine side where we believed the new concept would deliver a little bit more. But these guys are very ambitious like all of us and so I’m optimistic. We will know when the first qualifying session gets underway in Melbourne, this is the moment where everybody shows their cards.”

Mercedes saw Ferrari produce a significant upgrade to its power unit in 2017 before it made another leap this year. The Scuderia outfit challenged Mercedes for the title, but fell short in the latter half of the year, as it did in 2017.

Oh the Mercedes 'fake drama' has started early. They usually leave these lies until halfway through the race. Go boil your head Toto, I don't believe you.

  • 1
  • Dec 7 2018 - 16:02

Replies (9)

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  • Dont mock me mister Wolff. I might not be as rich as you, but at least I cant be repurposed into a leather bag.

    • + 0
    • Dec 7 2018 - 15:49
    • Hepp

      Posts: 200

      Oh Baby ... Suzie lives leather.

      • + 0
      • Dec 8 2018 - 10:04
    • Especially if she get to dress her idol driver in a ballerina dress while wearing some leather..

      • + 0
      • Dec 8 2018 - 18:56
  • Oh the Mercedes 'fake drama' has started early. They usually leave these lies until halfway through the race. Go boil your head Toto, I don't believe you.

    • + 1
    • Dec 7 2018 - 16:02
  • Looks like a smokescreen. The bs is flowing early from the Mercedes camp for sure.

    • + 1
    • Dec 7 2018 - 16:46
  • xoya

    Posts: 583

    Pffffft!

    • + 0
    • Dec 7 2018 - 17:29
  • sadosalo

    Posts: 198

    Now start Toto this nonsense for 2019 please, after Hamilton the narcissist started in 2018 i do what i can as Ferrari is so much faster, man oh man the golden boy is so modest, WC and constructors to win both titles so easy and that with an average Mercedes and budget, LOL.

    • + 1
    • Dec 7 2018 - 20:06
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    Cap in hand to the main board for another €50M

    • + 0
    • Dec 7 2018 - 21:35
  • Hepp

    Posts: 200

    Towards Toto ... I hear you, but I refuse to listen.
    And Toto, ... we aren't in Kansas anymore.
    The lion needs a friend (Merc)
    The tin man needs (a)heart (Red Bull)
    The scarecrow? Winnow(ing)?
    Now i'm out of puns.

    • + 0
    • Dec 8 2018 - 10:03

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