Mercedes will introduce in Monaco next week the major upgrade package for its W14 car that it had planned to debut at this weekend's canceled Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
Mercedes was among several teams that had scheduled to implement updates on their cars at Imola.
However, the Brackley squad's upgrades were more significant both in terms of the magnitude of the changes and also the direction which now sees the team development its W14 away from its troubled zero-sidepod concept.
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Nevertheless, reports indicate that Mercedes is moving ahead with its development programme and that it will roll out its revamped black arrow in Monaco next week.
Mercedes' updates are set to include a new front suspension and revised floor as well as reprofiled sidepods. But concerns were likely raised at Mercedes about the suitability of the Principality's tight and twisty street circuit for introducing new elements.
On a track that leaves no margin for error, Monaco may not provide the ideal conditions for trialing and fine-tuning new components.
Any setbacks or unforeseen issues with the upgraded car in Monaco could potentially have a significant impact on performance, making it a risky choice for Mercedes to debut their revamped design at a circuit where precision and stability are paramount.
On the other hand, should the changes provide Lewis Hamilton and George Russell with a more stable and predictable machine – as expected – Mercedes could reap handsome dividends in Monaco.
Also, having already undertaken ahead of Imola the heavy task of converting its cars to their new specification, reverting to the previous spec W14 for next week's event in Monte-Carlo would have likely been a very challenging exercise in terms of time and logistics.
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