F1 rumours: Radical Mercedes W13 with no sidepods?:
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-rumours-radical-mercedes-w13-with-no-sidepods/
"... According to Corriere dello Sport, the sidepods are ‘gone’ after Mercedes’ tests in the simulator showed a ‘monstrous’ upturn in the performance.
‘It would be a car almost completely devoid of sides, the disappearance of which would have involved an imaginative but effective arrangement of the radiators, in the highest area of the bodywork,’ read the report.
The sidepod-less design has shown ‘impressive simulator performances, with already legendary gains’.
And it is said to be ‘disturbing’ the tech gurus at their rival teams while causing ‘more than one team principal to be alarmed’.
But whether it will lead to a protest should Mercedes run the design at the Bahrain Grand Prix remains to be seen with the Brackley squad having said to have asked for ‘substantial clarifications before proceeding’ with the design.
Over at Mercedes, they are being coy about the upgraded package.
A spokesman for the team told Auto Motor und Sport: “Everyone flies to Bahrain with new parts. The biggest upgrades are usually the ones you can see from the outside.”
Sky Sport’s Ted Kravitz reckons this week could see a barrage of protests, or at least questions, being put before the FIA and its new race directors. ..."
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