Source:REUTERS/Carla Carniel
[Saba Sports News] The Mercedes F1 team has decided to reduce the development of car upgrade kits due to increased repair costs from multiple crashes and restrictions from cost caps. Since the summer break, Mercedes has experienced several serious crashes, including one involving their driver development program member and next year’s official driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli during his first practice session at the Italian Grand Prix; George Russell also crashed during qualifying in Austin and free practice in Mexico City. With repair costs rising, especially after Russell’s crash last week damaged the chassis, the team no longer has extra funds for upgrades and has ultimately halted its current car upgrade plans. When discussing this situation, team principal Toto Wolff stated that at the Brazilian Grand Prix, the team would bring two sets of upgrade kits and two floorboards, essentially all they have left for upgrades in the remaining races. Wolff believes that Lewis Hamilton and Russell are technically skilled and experienced enough to overcome difficulties.