Bear in mind that this is the very team that brought the double-decker diffuser into the public eye last year, stealing the show and powering to the world title after an incredible first half of the season. Therefore, the fact that the Brackley mechanics have further developed the rear part could only by worrying for the rival teams such as Ferrari (whom everyone looks at as favorites), Red Bull or McLaren Mercedes, all of whom have developed their own diffusers over the winter.
Team principal Ross Brawn was the first to confirm that the new diffuser will not be used in testing, but during the first round of the season, in Bahrain. And we're positive that this move was not made because the team had difficulties in developing the part – they had more than 4 months to do it – but probably because they didn't want their rivals to pick up on the new design.
Of course, these are simply allegations ahead of what promises to be a great F1 season, but even Ferrari's Fernando Alonso admitted he is not sure on what Mercedes GP will present to the competition at the Sakhir circuit.
In the meantime, McLaren's former tester and current Sauber racer Pedro de la Rosa – a veteran in terms of F1 racing – insisted that nothing Mercedes GP will bring to Bahrain could turn them into the sole leaders of the championship as last year.
“Now all the cars have a super diffuser and there will be no surprises because the rules have been stretched thin by the engineers,” said De la Rosa.
Most teams seem to already put the emphasis on their rear diffusers this season, as this is the main part of the car that creates additional downforce on the circuit. In an effort to keep things as private as possible ahead of the new season, Ferrari and Red Bull have covered the back of their car in selected recent test sessions.
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