Source: Mercedes F1 Twitter
Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey says Mercedes’ 2022 concept “was a surprise”, but doesn’t think it will trigger a wave of copying.
When Mercedes introduced its innovative ‘zero-sidepod’ 2022 car at the Bahrain pre-season test, the eyes of rival teams and the media were firmly fixed on the German team, waiting to see if the concept will be a success.
Unfortunately it didn’t happen, as the team struggled for most of the year, before slowly improving in the second half of the season.
Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, legendary designer Adrian Newey, says Mercedes’ concept never occurred to him while he was designing his own challenger.
“The Mercedes was a real surprise. We had overlooked this loophole,” the Briton told Auto Motor und Sport.
However, Newey doesn’t think other teams will try to copy the concept, at least not yet.
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“It’s difficult to judge from the outside,” he explained.
“The Mercedes has gotten better and better over the course of the year. To be honest, we don’t have the time to look at the concept in detail.
“Under a budget cap you can no longer afford this luxury. That’s why you step first the paths that you think will bring the most profit.
“With the Mercedes, it will be the case that everyone will only reach for the copying pen when the concept suddenly becomes a lasting success,” Newey concluded.
