Wolff suggests new "innovation" on Mercedes W12

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has dropped a hint there will be fresh "innovation" on this season's W12.

The seven-time consecutive constructors' champions are under pressure this year in the wake of a disappointing pre-season in which the car lacked balance and pace.

Lewis Hamilton has conceded there has been "a huge amount of analysis" in the days since the test at the Bahrain International Circuit.

But does the team have an ace up its sleeve, as was the case last season when it unveiled its DAS device that has been outlawed this year?

Speaking to French station Canal Plus, Wolff has hinted something fresh may be on the car. He said: "You haven’t even seen what we’re going to put on the car yet.

"Of course, there is room for innovation and that always makes me happy. Every year we try to do something that is a little bit boxy.

"I’m not sure it makes a big difference in terms of the performance of the car. It’s beautiful if it works."

Hamilton has already declared himself "excited" for the year ahead given the battle he potentially faces to hang on to his title, insisting his team has left no stone unturned in a bid to claw back the deficit to Red Bull.

"I think we are in the best shape we can possibly be considering that we only had three days of testing," said Hamilton.

"There has been a huge amount of analysis. For the engineers, the guys back at the factory, there's a huge amount of data from everyone, to try and understand, churn the numbers, crunch time and make improvements in that short period of time.

"I think we come here positive, but there are multiple teams looking really strong."

Asked whether this season would be closer, he replied: "Absolutely."

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