REPORT: Huge Mercedes W13 Update Set to Debut at Bahrain Testing

Formula One’s changes in regulation have already had an impact on the track. Mercedes finished 1-2 in the timesheet at Barcelona testing. But many believe Ferrari might take the throne from the Silver Arrows.

The 2022 car looks vastly different from the one in 2021. Among the changes to the car, Aston Martin and Ferrari have gills in their sidepods, which have been permitted in Formula One again.

Meanwhile, Corriere Della Serra reports that Mercedes will have a completely different car than the one they used in the Barcelona testing.

The Changes Reported

Former Mercedes director – Paddy Lowe earlier revealed that the 2014 Mercedes car was by far the quickest on the track that season. He also mentioned that the Silver Arrows even reduced their pace in qualifiers of the 2014 season. As a result, they dominated the V8 engine era.

With new regulations giving a new lease of hope for the rest, Corriere has reported that Mercedes is gearing up a ‘revolutionary’ car. They have claimed the car will be non-identical to the one from the testing in Barcelona.

The report also suggested that the car will not have sidepods, and it will be a single-seater car. The sidepods are a very important part of an F1 car, as it contains the radiators used for cooling.

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The performance of the newly designed W13 in the simulator is also impressive. According to the rumors, there are ‘legendary gains’ in the simulator, and the gain is well worth over a second per lap.

What are the Issues Faced by the Rest?

Corriere stated that the new Mercedes design was gathering attention from the rest. The technicians and engineers from other teams are already worried about this. Consequently, there is a chance they will appeal once the Silver Arrows reveal the car in Bahrain.

With the change in the regulations, Mercedes themselves have clarifications about the design of the car. The FIA introduced a budget cap of $145 million per year with an aim of reducing the gap between the teams. However, the report suggests that the bigger teams will easily overcome this by the means of sponsors and delegating the money to a third party.

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According to the report, the clarity of the new regulations is also an issue. The FIA has started implementing the regulations with an aim of bringing the grid closer. Many doubt the rigidity of the rules. And whether the changes will actually result in a tight battle between the teams.

The report by Corriere is certainly groundbreaking. Will Mercedes deliver a completely unfamiliar car to the one from the W13 launch? We will have to wait and watch.