Mercedes Confirmed To Be Using Same Zero-Pod Design at Saudi Arabian GP As Teams Assemble
The teams are getting set-up for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend and Mercedes are going ahead with the same zero-pod design from the Bahrain GP a couple of weeks ago.
Photos have been revealed from within the paddock and the one which has caught the most attention from fans is off the Mercedes W14 side panels. Taking to Twitter, a fan wrote:
"The first images from the paddock"
All eyes were on the Brackley-based squad during the Bahrain Grand Prix after the team, drivers, and fans were eager to put their troublesome 2022 behind them. The team struggled with countless issues on the W13 cars after going with the zero sidepod design, so fans were concerned when they saw the team were adopting the same feature this year.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell ended up in fifth and seventh place, respectively, but were significantly off the pace of race leader Max Verstappen.
The team kept up a strong and supportive facade last season, however, cracks have started to show since the 2023 season-opener. Team principal and CEO Toto Wolff has publicly damned the car, Hamilton has expressed frustration over the team not listening to him, and Russell has made his clear they may have to sacrifice the 2023 season already in order to be fighting at the front of the grid next year.
Fans reacted to the photos, writing:
"Mercedes sticking to what doesn’t work"
Another frustrated fan responded:
"Mercedes done already bring their nonsense side pod."