The eight-time Constructors’ champions grabbed headlines after revealing their new sidepod designs during the pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Mercedes‘ 2022 challenger in Bahrain looked a lot different in comparison to what it was in Barcelona. The reigning world champions have made some drastic changes in a matter of weeks to take everyone in the paddock by surprise.
The English manufacturer certainly has a different design in comparison to its rivals and is bound to get a lot of attention during the course of the year. But what is so different about Mercedes’ new sidepod designs, which have been brought down to a minimal
What is different about the Mercedes sidepods?
The new-look W13 car by Mercedes featured dramatically narrower sidepods. Even F1’s motorsport managing director Ross Brawn claimed that the concept was impressive and a “very extreme interpretation of the regulation” that had not been anticipated.
With new regulations and cars this year, the sidepods will help in the cooling requirements of the car, especially the engine. But Mercedes have opted for very small air inlets on either side of the cockpit and a sloping sidepod.
The sidepod, however, appears to exist separately from the upper side-impact crash structure on which the wing mirrors are mounted. It also features two sets of louvres cut into each sidepod to help with cooling.
Mercedes had previously made massive modifications to their basic car in 2019 after the first testing that year. However, before the start of the season, the team collected its data and made the necessary changes in order to optimal performance. The team won the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championship that year.
Will this tweak be another Mercedes masterclass? Stay tuned to find out as the F1 season kicks off on March 20th.
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