Fans think Mercedes have found a potential loophole within the FIA rules after unveiling their car for the upcoming 2023 season.
On Wednesday morning, Mercedes revealed their car for the new F1 season, reverting to a stunning black livery after racing in silver in the last campaign.
After dominating the sport from 2014 to 2021, Mercedes fell to third place last year after their car failed to live up to expectations.
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This time around, they are hoping the new W14 will be able to close the gap between themselves and rivals Red Bull and Ferrari.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, fans have been getting excited over the new car and the new livery.
One fan on Reddit has also managed to pick out the fact that Mercedes may have found a loophole in the FIA regulations which will help the performance of the car.
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The fan posted pictures of the car’s new front wing and said: “Mercedes have managed to ingeniously connect the front wing to the end plate slot, keeping the concept alive after FIA banned it for this season.”
Last season, Mercedes raced with separators on their front wings but after being told off by the FIA, they have decided to connect the separators to the end plate in order to keep the concept alive.
Fans were quick to react to the new wing.
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One said: “I was of the impression that the FIA blocked the Mercedes front wing to endplate slot, but they've ingeniously connected it - from wing to endplate to keep the concept alive.”
Another tweeted: “Don't break the rules, but merely bend them or find the limits.”
A third added: “Waiting for some complaints about this but a nice workaround.”
Mercedes driver and seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton is excited for the season ahead.
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He said during the launch: “We've redesigned, optimised, and innovated so many parts of the car and that is impressive.
“And I love the new livery! It says, 'we mean business’.”
F1 returns with the Bahrain Grand Prix which will take place on 5 March 2023.
Topics: Formula 1, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell
Marcus Chan