finally learn whether or not it’s zero pod design has a future the unusual design first appeared at the bahrain preseason test where it drew the attention of the paddock however mercedes has struggled to keep up with the front runners in . Redbull and ferrari since then owing to the heavy purposing their w13 car is experiencing at relatively low speeds as a result the striking side pod designers come under scrutiny without further . Adolet’s look at .

What.

Thezero side pod solution is supposed to bring .

Tothe table and whether mercedes will stick with .

Itthroughout the season applause with the w13 plagued by purposing issues and having made little progress in getting the concept to work the barcelona event is critical to its future direct comparisons of performance will provide some key indicators about . Thedirection the . Teamshould take with its car as mercedes has a wealth of data from preseason testing with its launch spec side pods the more the team investigates the w13’s problems the more it suspects that the xero pod concept has exposed . Muchmore floor area which is especially sensitive on the 2022 ground effect .

Machinesas mercedes team principal toto wolff said in miami if you walk through the grid you can see that our floor edges stick out much wider than anybody else’s that gives it a different way or much more scope of possible instability i think that’s where . Ourconcept varies clearly the barcelona launch car is much slower on paper but we need to find out how we can make the current car work predictably for the drivers mercedes solution does expose . Moreof the floor which gives the airflow . Passingaround the car more freedom spreading the load created across a much larger section of the floor for mercedes this appears to create . Purposingat lower speeds than some of its rivals as a result the ill effects of the phenomenon begin earlier than . Theopposition and outlast them with recovery not occurring until lewis hamilton and george russell are much further into the breaking zone given that all of the . Teamshad suffered from porpoising to some extent the fia allowed teams to install a single .

Stayeither side of the car ahead of the rear wheels . Forthe start of the campaign after preseason testing . Thismetal stay appears .

Tobe significantly longer than its counterparts in mercedes case as it does not pass through any bodywork the introduction . Ofthese stays has also aided some teams in their weight loss . Plansas they can trade in some of the weight incorporated in the floor which was previously helping .