Mercedes' 2022 F1 car passes crash tests ahead of new season

Every F1 team has to go through various crash tests and procedures with their new cars to ensure they’re safe before they take to the track in winter testing next month.

Mercedes’ announcement comes after rumours over the weekend that its W13 had failed the crash tests.

2022 will see the introduction of entirely new technical regulations in a bid to make the grid more competitive. 

The minimum weight of the cars has also been increased as a result of the new regulations, but also to allow for stronger impact structures.

The statement from Mercedes read: “For clarity, W13 completed its FIA homologation process on 13 January 2022; the relevant procedures for this (which have changed somewhat for this season, including a reinforced side squeeze test) are captured in Article 13 of the 2022 Technical Regulations.”

Mercedes will reveal the W13 to the public on February 18.

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is expected to return alongside George Russell for this season.

Hamilton has maintained silence over social media since his controversial defeat to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. 

Russell will make his full-time debut for the team in Bahrain after three seasons with Williams. 

Pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gets underway on February 23-26.

The season itself starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 18-20.