The incredible Mercedes deception to overtake Hamilton – Last week, three days of winter testing took place at the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain, providing a first glimpse of the pecking order for the 2024 Formula One season. However, as is often the case with pre-season testing, it was difficult to draw any definitive conclusions.
Teams strategically concealed their true pace by running different fuel loads, experimenting with different set-ups and even employing deceptive tactics to keep their rivals guessing. Among the teams playing their cards close to their chests, Mercedes stood out, especially as they enter a transitional period in preparation for the post-Lewis Hamilton era.
With Hamilton’s move to Ferrari confirmed for 2025, Mercedes are navigating an uncertain future. The team’s 2024 season is seen as a stepping stone, with George Russell taking a leading role and rookie Kimi Antonelli expected to be integrated into the team in some capacity. While Mercedes are not overwhelming favourites – McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari appear to have the upper hand – many pundits believe the Silver Arrows have hidden their true potential during testing.
Among them is Sam Collins, an expert on Formula One technology, who is convinced that Mercedes have resorted to a cunning deception to mislead their rivals.
A masterful bluff? The suspicious detail on the Mercedes
Mercedes’ reluctance to reveal its true hand is not surprising. In recent years, the team has been renowned for its secrecy during pre-season testing, often understating its performance to keep expectations in check. However, Collins believes the team has taken its deception to another level this year, using what he describes as “fake goods” to disguise the true nature of the car’s development.
One detail in particular caught Collins’ attention – the presence of a suspicious bump on the front of the Mercedes W15. This feature, positioned near George Russell’s driver’s number, appeared at first glance to be a cooling duct. On closer inspection, however, Collins noticed an anomaly.
“Notice the hump under the mechanic’s hand where you can see George Russell’s driver number,” he explained, as quoted by F1 Only.
“There’s a little black painted section just in front of that driver number. That’s a fake driver cooling duct – it’s not a real one. It’s just painted on.”
