So there are rumours mercedes have found a new side pod design that will actually eliminate the side pods, and rumoured to be 1 sec a lap faster than the previous w13 side pod design. I have no idea if this is just some garbage rumour stirred up for clicks, or if it will be legit, but I can't even imagine what it would look like or how it would even work. But as shown by the images above the mercedes package is pretty much the same width from the radiators to the exhaust headers so it is possible to completely eliminate the side pods if they can figure out how to duct air to the radiators and create outwash to push out the tire wake and all the other things. But again I have no idea how this would even work, but like I said before the only thing better than under cuts or overcuts to divert air flow to the rear of the car is to remove the obstruction all together. If possible this would be the highest performining design on the grid (factoring in no overheating, being able to push away the tire wake etc), the drag reduction from this design would be immense as well. Can't wait to see if this is BS or not by tomorrow.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-rum...h-no-sidepods/