The much-anticipated major upgrade of this year’s Mercedes – in relation to the first three days of this year’s Formula 1 winter testing in Barcelona – two weeks ago – came to the test in Bahrain with a particularly impressive design of the thinnest air vents we’ve come across seen in an F1 car over the last three decades.

These air ducts on the sides behind the rider are very narrow – and their small size is said to offer the Champion very significant aerodynamic advantages. If, of course, the reliability of the cooling system of the thermal engine and the hybrid system is also confirmed on the route.

With this, Mercedes is once again reaffirming its favorite tactic this year, whenever there is a significant change in the regulations – and how much more radically than this year their complete redesign – to compete in the first tests of the winter with a “base” car and to show all of its ideas below .

The design of the vents even surprised Ross Bron, former Mercedes F1 race director and now Formula 1 general manager, who said he could not have foreseen such an extreme plan.

“It’s impossible to anticipate the level of creativity from the teams once they receive the regulations. There is no doubt that we did not expect the plan of the Mercedes. It’s a very extreme interpretation of the regulations and I think there will be a lot of discussion about this plan, so the new regulations are like that.”said Brown.

At the same time, he emphasized that the Mercedes plan does not appear to be illegal at first glance based on the regulations: “Our first impression is that there is nothing particularly close to our hearts in terms of the objectives (regulation) or the regulation itself. No matter how hard you try to close all the “windows” and believe me we’ve closed hundreds of them, it’s innovative F1 it’s always extreme”completed.

Her reaction Red Bull race

The design of the side Mercedes air vents, as well as the mirrors and fins on the top where the traditional air vents normally sit, made a special impression on the other teams – and of course on the big competitor Red Bull Racing.

A major media outlet, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, moderated the following statements from RBR Director Christian Horner early this morning: “New Mercedes violates the spirit of the regulations. “For us, some components are illegal.” However, RBR soon rushed to call those reports “false,” with Horner even saying he was “surprised” by what they were told.

When asked at the track in Bahrain, he said: “I didn’t pay much attention to it (on the news Mercedes). It’s obviously a very different design, but aerodynamicists and designers need to see that.”

Asked about the legitimacy of the plan, the Brit replied: “this is beyond my technical knowledge. Let our people digest and understand. “We saw the car for the first time this morning so I have no idea if the dates are subject to change.”

Ferstappen: “Don’t worry at all”

At first glance, when champion Max Ferstappen commented on the new Mercedes W13, he seemed completely unconcerned about the innovation – and its dynamics – that the much-improved Hamilton car might be hiding.

“No, I’m not worried. I mean, we can only focus on ourselves. Even though the cars look a little different, there are so many unknowns to learn, so I’m not worried at all.”said the Dutchman.

The RBR is currently in Bahrain with Sergio Perez in the cockpit, primarily collecting data on the aerodynamic performance of the upgraded – but not to the extent of Mercedes – new RB18.

“We have to collect laps to understand the car better”, continued Ferstappen. “This is the main priority to understand what you want from the car, to try different things in the setup, to see the instructions to follow. That is indeed the key.”