autoevolution
 

Former Mercedes-AMG Aero Specialist Analyzes 2022 F1 Car, Explains How Sidepods Work

Each Formula 1 season has at least one team that has developed something to make its cars stand out. This has become the norm, instead of the exception, in recent years. Mercedes-AMG is one of the teams that have developed controversial things in recent years, and their new side pod design is this year's thing.
Drawings on Mercedes-AMG W13 sidepod design 6 photos
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube video by KYLE.ENGINEERS
Mercedes-AMG W13 F1 carMercedes-AMG W13 F1 carMercedes-AMG W13 F1 carMercedes-AMG W13 F1 carMercedes-AMG W13 F1 car
Not that long ago, in 2020, the German outfit had a Dual-Axis Steering setup, which was stretching the rule books to their edge. This time, aerodynamics seems to be the name of the game, and the team led by Toto Wolff has developed an ultra-slim setup that is incredibly complicated.

Competitors are not happy about it, and Red Bull's Christian Horner is one of those who are discontent with the entire thing. While Horner did not say that the sidepods, as they are described, are illegal according to the rules, the team principal of Mercedes-AMG's main rival in recent years finds them against the spirit of the regulations.

Back in November 2021, Max Verstappen stirred controversy and led to the creation of the “Inspector Max” internet joke after he touched his F1 car's rear diffuser and then proceeded to touch the same component of Hamilton's vehicle. The joke itself can be traced back to Sebastian Vettel, which started the "Inspector Seb" series, but other F1 racers have previously taken close looks at their competitors' vehicles.

As you may be aware, FIA rules allow looking, but touching a competitor's vehicle is forbidden by the sporting code. That means that no racer on the grid will be allowed to check out Mercedes-AMG's new aero bits with their hands to see what makes them tick. If only Sandy Munro would get a W13 in his workshop!

Coming back to the matter at hand, Kyle Forster, owner of Kyle Engineers and former F1 aerodynamicist with a Ph.D. in the field, has analyzed the latest race car from his former colleagues at Mercedes-AMG. With the context of the video described above, watch it for yourself to understand what the German team has prepared for the 2022 season.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)

Editor's note: For illustration purposes, the photo gallery has images of Mercedes-AMG's current F1 car on the track.

About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories