Source: Mercedes F1 Twitter
Ferrari’s team boss Mattia Binotto comments on Mercedes’ innovative redesign of the W13 and says he’d be “surprised if Mercedes is doing something illegal”.
Ever since Mercedes revealed the radical new redesign of their 2022 challenger, on the first day of the Bahrain pre-season test, everybody inside the Formula 1 paddock has been discussing their innovative solutions.
While Red Bull has already stirred some controversy when Christian Horner allegedly said (and then denied he said) that his team considers Mercedes’ car to be illegal, Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto doesn’t believe Mercedes’ innovations are against the rules.
“Looking at the Mercedes, it’s a great car – it’s not a surprise to us,” the Italian said.
“A great car, good concept. Quite different to the one we’ve got!.
“It’s interesting in the cooling layout, radiator positioning on the sidepods. I think, again, something which looks quite interesting.
“On the legality overall, I don’t think that we can argue. As Toto said, it has gone through a process and the FIA is the one responsible for policing it and making sure it’s fully legal.
“I would be surprised if Mercedes is doing something illegal as well, so that’s not the point.”
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However, Binotto does think that Mercedes’ mirrors need a closer look. The team has mounted the mirrors on extra wings that serve as side impact spars.
“I think, on the mirrors, I’m surprised… I would say that’s something we are not expecting.
“I think that’s something that, for the future, needs to be addressed. Already, in the past, we always argued that the mirrors should not have any aero purpose.
“It should be there just to look behind. The way that they treated or designed their car, certainly there is a significant aero purpose in the mirrors itself.
“Some things we need to discuss for the future, because the risk is that all the teams will start designing mirrors that look like spaceships.
“I don’t think that’s what we are looking for, as Formula 1. So again, I’m not arguing with the idea. They found a solution that, for them, is interesting.
“But I think that, in the spirit of what we intend to do, certainly for the future, some things need to be discussed,” Binotto concluded.
