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New Mercedes airbox solution ‘cool’ says Rosberg

After Mercedes surprised the F1 world with its airbox abolishment on Thursday, Nico Rosberg crowned the innovation “cool” and “futuristic”.

“That’s cool if you can do something new that nobody else has on their car,” said the German, after the updated W01 car was seen in the Barcelona paddock without a traditional airbox above the drivers’ head.

Instead, the rollover structure is now knife-sharp, with air now being fed into the normally-aspirated V8 engine via two inlets further back in the engine cover.

“I think it looks really futuristic,” Rosberg told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

However, the 24-year-old also had to confirm reports that Mercedes is not yet ready to debut its full F-duct system in Spain this weekend.

“I’m sorry, we don’t have the F-duct system like McLaren,” said Rosberg.

“The rear wing is basically the same as it was in Shanghai.  The longer wheelbase and the airbox are the only fundamental changes.”

© RIF|GMM