Ferrari F1 Boss Shares Concerns Over the Legality of ‘Great’ Mercedes W13 Challenger

Mercedes F1 is the center of all attention ever since they dropped their head-turning car design. Its sidepod-less wonder has got everyone talking, with some rivals claiming it to be “a great car” while others deny even paying any attention to it. With so much buzz around this magnificent car, Mercedes can tick the box of job well done.

From Haas’ troubles to Michael Masi’s replacement, it feels like the 2022 season has already seen it all. However, everyone is now finding it hard to not gasp over Mercedes’s new one-of-a-kind design.

Mattia Binotto feels that the new W13 is a great car

The 2022 cars have undergone several changes because of FIA’s revamped rules. Increased weights and 18 inches tires are some of the changes the cars will see besides other monumental modifications. The results so far seem good, as the cars were performing pretty well on the tracks. However, “porpoising” was a defining concern for several teams.

Eight-time Constructors’ Champions Mercedes were also not without problems. Despite jaw-dropping changes and a standout design, the silver arrows struggled with porpoising as well. Although, they are expected to be fine before the season begins.

Matia Binotto wants those Mirrors gone

Amid all this, we got to hear the thoughts of the Ferrari Team Boss, Binotto, who admitted Mercedes has produced a “great car” and he cannot dispute the legality of it. However, not all aspects of the design were praiseworthy for Binotto. Specifically, it was the W13’s mirror assembly that wasn’t cutting it for him. The Italian believes that they have been set up against the spirits of the regulations and felt the issue needs to addressed.

Backing his claims, he further stated, “On the mirrors, some are surprised. I find that quite surprising. That’s not something we are expecting.”

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“I think in the spirit of that, some things are needed. I think for the future [they] need to be addressed.”

“Already in the past, we always argued the mirrors should not have any aero purpose. They should be there just to look behind.

“I think the way [Mercedes] treated or designed their car, certainly there is a significant aero purpose in the mirrors itself and I think something we need to stop for the future, no doubt, because the risk is we will come in the future that all the teams start designing mirrors that look like spaceships.

“I don’t think that’s what we are looking for as F1.” Binotto further added.

Clearly, Ferrari is not very fond of the mirrors on Mercedes. While Mattia has already made it clear what he feels about the new W13, Mercedes’s arch-rivals, Red Bull have claimed that “no official comment” has gone out from the team or Christian Horner‘s side.

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The teams are currently testing ahead of the season opener Bahrain Grand Prix see to take place on March 20th. The highly anticipated season can go either way as all the top teams look solid.