March 10, (THEWILL) – The Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team had opted to run a more basic version of its challenger in the first week of activity in Barcelona, sparking strong speculation in the build-up to the test that it would bring an update of its 2022 car to the final test in Bahrain.
The modified Mercedes was found during an official F1 picture geared at advertising the start of the 2018 season, just ahead of testing beginning in Bahrain.
To satisfy with side-impact requirements, the new improvements include minimalist sidepods as well as some aggressive-looking fins running across the cockpit. The sidepod design has a twin series of vents, which have been permitted to return to F1 this season in order to offer optimal cooling chances.
The sidepods go a long way beyond the unconventional approach employed by Mercedes customer team, Williams, which has a hole in the middle of its sidepods.
A pass-through duct is used in the Williams concept to gather airflow in the higher area of the sidepod inlet and pass it out through the outside, upper corner of the bodywork, which helps to frame the flow around that portion of the sidepod.
As teams strive to reduce drag and maximise airflow benefits to help feed the underfloor ground effects, this year’s F1 2022 designs have featured a wide array of innovative approaches to the sidepod solution.
The Mercedes interpretation is unique in that the team has met the need for side-impact safety features that are fully independent from the sidepods.
The side impact spars (SIS) must be located according to the rules for this year. The intention was for the teams to adopt a more traditional shape with sidepods and inlets from a regulatory standpoint.
All of the teams converged on this solution in 2021 after improving on the notion first utilised by Ferrari in 2017, in which the upper SIS was slung low and front and the bodywork was used as an aerodynamic shield around it.
Mercedes’ concept is that the SIS will be totally detachable from the sidepod, a method that no one else has considered.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
