The fix for the W14’s cockpit positioned too far forward relative to the front wheels, and the real impact of Mike Elliott and James Allison’s technology switch, may not materialize until 2024.

But a B-spec machine has been promised, with its first major upgrade at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the end of May, after the car’s design flaws were discovered ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Wolff talked about the “need to manage everyone’s expectations” to see how far development will deliver immediately, and singled out “rides” as the biggest area of ​​focus.

Wolff said of the upcoming adjustment: “The target is Imola. I just have to manage everyone’s expectations because we talked so much about the upgrade that when we put it on the track , we are unlikely to circle around Red Bull. I think that will be a good benchmark.”

Alison has noticed that the team is working on releasing more downforce, while the drawing office has been tasked with modifying the suspension.

According to Allison, this will “help the basic balance of the car … make it easier to drive”.

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, leaving the garage

Photography: Andy Horn / motorsport pictures

Expanding on the area of ​​weakness, Wolff has opted for riding as Mercedes’ “main thing”, and its performance in Baku was not due to the car dragging “because no one is ahead of anyone”.

Fixing the ride will help Mercedes create the “least safe” car for ground effect rules.

Wolff continued: “With our car, it’s more about ride control than pure downforce.

“We could put a lot of downforce on the car, but the car would be too low and too stiff.

“You can see on the on-board, (Red Bull) barely moving, the speed on the straights, all the bumps, the balance of the car is easy. If you look at all the other on-board equipment, the cars look tricky.

“I think the general ground-efficiency vehicles are garbage trucks, who is the least garbage, isn’t it?”

Wolff said Mercedes would have brought an all-new chassis this season had it not been for F1’s cost cap, but given financial constraints, Mercedes is focusing on suspension and floor aerodynamics.

He continued: “What we really have to decide carefully is what we want to upgrade – we’re bringing a new front suspension to the Imola and the aerodynamic upgrades and floor that come with it.

He added: “If we got the platform right, it wouldn’t add 10 points of downforce.

“It’s more about giving the driver a car where if they turn the wheel they actually know the rear won’t pass them — that’s the problem.”