The new Formula 1 season starts in just over a week. Preparations are on the home stretch. But there are discussions about the new Silver Arrows.
Mercedes expects no trouble with the Formula 1 rule keeper because of its extreme side boxes. “We’re really proud of the concept, now it just has to be fast,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff at the start of the tests in Bahrain on Thursday. “It is clear that when you come up with an innovation, then there is a debate.”
The W13 only has mini sidepods. The almost rectangular cooling inlets at cockpit level became two narrow vertical slits on the left and right of the chassis. A wing element protrudes horizontally from the chassis, on which the rear-view mirror and vertical fins sit.
“We didn’t expect the Mercedes concept”
As the rule guardian, the world motorsport association Fia was involved in all technical approvals, assured Wolff. Formula 1 and Fia would treat the issue with “care”.
“There are some very extreme interpretations of the regulations that could lead to a lot of discussions. We didn’t expect the Mercedes concept,” admitted Formula 1 sports director Ross Brawn, who played a key role in the new set of rules. “I would be surprised if Mercedes did something illegal,” said Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto.