Mercedes warns of “arms race” over FIA wind tunnel ruling

Mercedes had asked governing body the FIA for clarification on the rules governing aerodynamic testing and other ways of sharing information.

The FIA stewards at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are due to deliver a verdict on Sunday about the rules relating to wind tunnel development, amid concerns that Ferrari has benefited from its partnership with Haas. New team Haas, for instance, enters F1 next year on the back of a deal with Ferrari, which will supply a number of parts, and with use of the Scuderia’s wind tunnel.

The use of wind tunnels, crucial to aerodynamic developments, is restricted in Formula One to cut costs but Haas, being now outside the championship, are not subject to the same limits.

The subsequent ruling found that the FIA will close the perceived loophole by regarding any potential team as an “entry”, thus bringing it into line with regulations and restrictions.

Mercedes had denied targeting Ferrari in seeking clarification from the stewards about “ambiguities” in the technical regulations.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff suggested most teams are concerned that if the new Ferrari-Haas union flourishes, other teams will have to forge similar alliances.

“We were absolutely transparent, we provided all the papers to the FIA step by step”, the team principal said. However, Wolff warned on Saturday if such rules were allowed to go unchecked “it could become an arms race of how many corporations or partners you could sign up in order to develop at the greatest speed”.

The rules govern time in the wind tunnel, data restrictions on computer design, and so-called “listed parts”, which are parts of the vehicle that a team must design themselves.

Wolff stressed Mercedes’ motivation was working out how it could work with its own customer teams – Williams, Force India and Manor for 2016 – in future.