“The whole car is copied”: Trouble in Formula 1 escalates

“It's like an iceberg, at the moment it's just the tip of the iceberg,” said Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto. Actually, he only spoke about the Racing Point affair - but the Swiss's statement could also be related to the ongoing dispute on many fronts in Formula 1.

First there is the copy noise. The Racing Point team, which is so strong this season, is supplied with engines and other components by Mercedes. Renault then lodged a protest against the brake ventilation of the Racing Point cars after the Grands Prix in Styria, Hungary and Great Britain because they were allegedly illegally copied from the Mercedes of the 2019 season.

The sports commissioners of the world motorsport association FIA have now recognized a breach of the rules in the rear brake shafts. The design process of these components is not legal because certain components have to be designed by the teams themselves without the help of a competitor. Racing Point admitted that it had purchased brake ventilation from Mercedes in 2019. However, when these components were added to a list in 2020 following a rule change that stipulated which components had to be the teams' own work, they were not used. McLaren motorsport boss sharply criticizes Racing Point Racing Point emphasizes that it was only inspired by the 2019 Mercedes. “They claimed they only copied the car based on photos. But if you read the FIA document, it becomes clear that this is complete rubbish,” complained McLaren Motorsport Director Zak Brown and suspected much more extensive imitations.

Nevertheless, the team was allowed to continue using the brake shafts, but was punished with the deduction of 15 World Championship points and a fine of 400 euros. “It's about the whole concept of copying. “Are we or are we not allowed to copy an entire concept,” Binotto asked an important question.

“We don’t want to have eight or ten Mercedes on the grid next year” Nikolas Tombazis, head of technology at the FIA No, according to the FIA's wishes, the Formula 1 teams shouldn't do that. Even though Racing Point's current car is sometimes referred to as the "pink Mercedes" in the paddock because of its similarity - and paintwork. “We don’t want to have eight or ten Mercedes on the grid next year,” said the head of technology at the world motorsport association, Nikolas Tombazis. Copying and copying have been part of Formula 1 for a long time, “but we believe that Racing Point has taken it too far.” Therefore, in response, the rule makers want to adapt the sports regulations in 2021 so that copies do not become the norm in the future.

“We accept that in Formula 1 people copy something from each other, but not that the entire car is copied” Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul “We accept that in Formula 1 people copy something from each other, but not that the entire car is copied,” complained Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul. Last but not least, McLaren Motorsport Director Brown took offense at the fact that Racing Point was allowed to continue using the controversial brake ventilation. “That doesn’t make sense to me, it’s not fair in this sport,” he commented. Racing Point and Mercedes counterattack Racing Point team boss Otmar Szafnauer responded: “He has no idea what he’s talking about, zero. I'm surprised at how little he knows about the rules of Formula 1." Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff imagined a "small revolution" among rivals "because they don't perform as well as Racing Point." Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Williams quit to possibly appeal the verdict. Racing Point, in turn, considered taking action against the level of the penalty.

Toto Wolff is sure that Racing Point did nothing wrong. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / CLIVE MASON

Topic of basic contract But Wolff had other problems. The basic contract, which will be valid from 12 and regulates the distribution of Formula 2021 income, should be approved by August 1th. “We definitely won’t be able to do that,” said Wolff. In his opinion, Mercedes was the “biggest victim” when it came to awarding prize money.

The Austrian referred to the team's successes and to world champion Lewis Hamilton as a driver with the “greatest global” appeal. “We have the impression that we were not treated as we should and that is why there are still a lot of legal issues for us,” said Wolff. “I don’t feel ready to sign the Concorde Agreement.”

Wolff later appeared more conciliatory. Overall, he sees “no major hurdles, you just have to get together.” If you can reach a “sensible Concorde Agreement,” “then it’s definitely a sport we want to stay in.”

The Formula 1 rights holder, who negotiates the basic contract with the ten teams and the world motorsport association, is sticking to the schedule unimpressed. “The agreement is important for the future of the sport,” the bosses said. “We will continue with this and nothing will be postponed.” Harmony sounds different.

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“The whole car is copied”: Trouble in Formula 1 escalates

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