Mercedes radical design triggers Horner concerns of F1 "mirror war"

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is hopeful F1 will avoid a "mirror war" as teams look to exploit the sport's new regulations.

Mirrors have long been a major point of contention in F1 with engineers and aerodynamicists searching for any advantages in the design phase they can to eke extra lap time from a car.

As part of its 'zeropod' design unveiled at the Bahrain pre-season test, Mercedes placed its mirror-stay on the protruding side impact structure with a number of aero vanes placed in the gap between the two elements.

Horner had reportedly suggested the Mercedes was "illegal" and against the spirit of the regulations, although these remarks were swiftly shut down by Red Bull before the Englishman insisted the comments were never made.

But with a Technical Advisory Committee [TAC] meeting taking place ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner wants to ensure the mirrors remain true to their primary function.

"We certainly don't want to get into a mirror war," he said.

"So much time in these technical meetings over the last 10 years or so have been about the function of the mirrors and whether they become wings or not, at least probably not in the intention.

"So in the right forum, in the TAC meeting they have, that will probably be addressed and discussed there."

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