The matter it seems has come to an end. At least for the FIA. The mirrors of the Mercedes W13 have been confirmed legal.
The technical commission of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, after a long discussion in the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) confirmed the decision that had already been taken before the tests in Sakhir, when Mercedes showed the aerodynamic evolution of the new W13 to the CAD.
The technicians headed by Mike Elliott and James Allison took advantage because the rule on rear-view mirrors was poorly written, allowing the teams to interpret it in a more freely manner than was initially planned.
Mattia Binotto, in his meeting via zoom with the Italian press had very clear words on the subject …
“The FIA has always made it clear that the support for the mirrors must have only a structural function and if it involves an aerodynamic influence it must only be ‘incidental’. If this has been the principle emphasized by the FIA in the past, I believe it must be the same today and in the future, there is no reason to change your mind today.”
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“Regarding the support of the mirrors in the past, the FIA has sent technical directives to the teams, well underlining the basic concept. I believe that certain solutions seen on these cars do not have an accidental influence but have a clear aerodynamic purpose, so I believe that are contrary to what the FIA has indicated in the past”.
The head of the Maranello team spoke in the plural, not putting the target only on the Mercedes, it seems clear that compliance with the spirit of the regulation could also concern other teams who, however, defended themselves by arguing that the proposed solutions all fall within the rules that the FIA created for the teams to develop the supports.
Frankly it is surprising how they may have been considered part of the rear-view mirrors support of the flaps that have no contact with the mirror, and their primary aerodynamic function is evident.
