Red Bull deny Christian Horner comments surrounding new Mercedes without sidepods at Bahrain testing

The Red Bull Team Principal has been left upset on day one of testing in Bahrain after their title rivals’ latest development

Red Bull have released a statement to deny Christian Horner has made comments surrounding the new Mercedes W13 on day one of F1 testing in Bahrain.

Lewis Hamilton has been out on the track this morning to unveil a controversial new look with the W13 not having sidepods.

And speculation spread that the Red Bull Team Principal was upset at the latest development from the Silver Arrows.

But Red Bull have now quashed noise of a fresh controversy just days before the 2022 Formula 1 season after the acrimony of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the manner in which Max Verstappen snatched the title last year.

F1 testing LIVE: Bahrain Day 1 times, news and latest updates

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the first day of testing (AFP via Getty Images)

A statement read: “Please note, Christian has not spoken with any media or made any comments about the Mercedes car.”

Mercedes High Performance Powertrains boss Hywel Thomas admitted to a “huge change” in the sidepod design in a video detailing the biggest changes to the 2022 car.

“I guess when you look at the sidepods – I know you guys! – you’d be worried where that’s going to cool,” Mercedes F1 technical director Mike Elliott joked.

Thomas replied: “Yeah, I’m worried about my engine! How’s that going to get cooled with a sidepod that seems to have disappeared?”

“A big chunk of work has gone into this car to try and get that cooling and to get that cooling in a more efficient way,” said Elliott.

“The work we’ve done together on the layout of the exhaust, and the cooling systems of the car, are going to pay big dividends in the aerodynamics.”