Rumors of an ‘epic’ new Mercedes W13 at the Bahrain tests are circulating

The reputation of the particularly important modification of the new Mercedes W13 with a view to the three-day test in Bahrain on March 10-12 precedes the car itself. It’s believed to be wide, but reliable sources say it will be of epic proportions – with the main innovation being the disappearance of the side airways.

The side air outlets on both sides behind the driver serve to cool the hybrid drive – and in particular the V6 turbo heat engine. Of course, if the rumors were true, Mercedes would have had to find other ways to cool down – which shouldn’t really be irrelevant with so many GPs in the Middle East and in the summer months.

At the Barcelona Tests (23-25​​/2), F1 teams presented many different studies on the side air ducts – as they play a key role in the air ducts that run through the car and reach the rear wing and diffuser .

Red Bull in particular showed an extreme solution with very narrow openings at the top, while Ferrari created a strong cavity at the top. Mercedes first introduced air ducts with discontinuous geometry and then another study with grilles. But now the Italian Corriere dello Sport writes that showing the W13 in Bahrain without side vents is a serious possibility for the champion.

According to the newspaper, Mercedes has already tested this design study in the wind tunnel and in the simulator – in which the elevators are located on the upper body, selectively behind the driver – and the resulting aerodynamic advantages are unimaginable. In fact, the rumors are said to have particularly worried some of the other groups.

At the same time, information goes as far as Mercedes has asked the FIA ​​a fact-finding question about the legitimacy of this plan – something that could provoke a round of political controversy a week from now if the champion reveals the plan at the first GP of the year, also in Bahrain on March 18th .until March 20th.

So said a Mercedes F1 member of Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport “All are on their way to Bahrain with new accessories and major upgrades [των μονοθεσίων] They’re usually the ones you can see with the naked eye.”

It is very likely that this winter Mercedes followed the tactics it had adopted with the two previous major changes to the regulations in 2017 and 2019: At the first winter test, they entered a base car, and at the second with its groundbreaking new design.

As of last week, it is known that Mercedes will bring to Bahrain for testing such a modified car, which will reach the point of being considered a “B” version of the W13. Ferrari, on the other hand, has made it clear that it is traveling to the Persian Gulf with limited F1-75 modifications as its main objective is to understand its new car and get the best out of it.

As for Red Bull Racing, it is also expected to present the new RB18 with very extensive changes in Bahrain. This is an already very bold car with an extreme design of the side air intakes, front suspension and floor.

In addition to the long-planned changes and new ideas from the teams that we will see in their cars at the Bahrain tests, they are expected to present a modified floor to deal with the problem of porspoising-induced jumps (floor coordination).