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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the team is looking at 2020 as a “two-year championship”, splitting their focus between their 2020 and 2021 car.
2021 will bring a massive regulatory change in Formula 1, not the least of which will be the introduction of a budget cap. That’s why Mercedes has to split their efforts between their 2020 season and getting ready for 2021.
“This year’s championship is a two-year championship,” Wolff said.
“It is not only about 2020 under the current regulations. There’s such a massive regulatory change for 2021, that balancing your allocation of resource will be crucial in terms of how much of your resource you’re switching into the 2021 car.
“Obviously, the learning and development slope is much steeper at the beginning. So if you get it wrong and you’re months behind, you might be half a second behind.
“And this is a challenge which we have embraced in the past through two regulatory changes, and we love that one.”
The Austrian adds the team is as motivated as ever, despite winning six constructors’ titles in a row.
“Every year we try to set the right objectives, and objectives that are understood throughout the organisation,” explained Wolff.
“I think it’s so important to wake up with purpose. And I don’t see a lack of motivation and purpose within the organisation.
“The pain of losing is so much more intense and lasts so much longer than the joy of winning. And this is in a way what drives us strongly. The sheer thought about losing makes you forget about all your previous achievements.
“Last year’s record doesn’t buy us any credit for the 2020 championship. So all lap times, all points go to zero and we are yet again in front of another challenge.
“In a way there is a reason why six was a world record. Because it’s bloody difficult.
“We want to push that needle further.”
Source: autosport.com
