Mercedes unveils true W17 with radical updates inspired by rivals
Mercedes shed its cautious testing guise in Bahrain, revealing a heavily revised W17 with sidepods and aero details inspired by Red Bull and Ferrari. This aggressive update signals a major conceptual shift as the team urgently seeks to return to the front of the grid.
Mercedes revealed the true, radically updated form of its W17 during the final pre-season test in Bahrain, moving decisively away from its initially cautious design to incorporate extreme packaging solutions inspired by rivals Red Bull and Ferrari. The car now features heavily modified sidepods, a refined underbody, and micro-aerodynamic details copied from competitors, signaling an aggressive push for performance ahead of the new season.
Why it matters:
This shift from a deliberately conservative test car to an aggressively updated race specification reveals Mercedes' urgent response to its performance deficit. After two years struggling with the car concept, adopting and adapting solutions from the fastest teams—Red Bull and Ferrari—marks a significant philosophical change. It shows the team is willing to break from its own traditions to chase immediate gains, setting the stage for a crucial development battle in 2024.
The Details:
- Sidepod Revolution: The most visible change is a completely redesigned sidepod and engine cover profile. The new shape is less tapered toward the rear, moving away from the team's previous 'zero-pod' philosophy and closer to the downwash solutions used by Red Bull and Ferrari.
- Underbody Modifications: The floor has been revised around the rear wheels, featuring right-angled slits—a solution reminiscent of pre-ground-effect era cars—designed to work with adjustable car rake (ride height) for different circuits.
- Diffuser Tweaks: Less obvious internal changes to the diffuser's vertical profile aim to better manage airflow and induce 'diffuser stall' on straights, a technique to reduce drag and increase top speed.
- Micro-Aero Borrowing: In a clear sign of convergent development, Mercedes' new mirror mounts appear as a direct copy of the design used by Ferrari, optimizing airflow in a critical area.
What's next:
The 'true' W17 represents Mercedes' starting point for the 2024 championship. The key question is whether this aggressive redesign, which blends the team's own ideas with proven concepts from rivals, provides the stable and performant platform needed to consistently challenge Red Bull. The car seen in Bahrain is likely just the first step, with its development trajectory throughout the season being the true test of this new direction's success.