Mercedes modified wheel rims to avoid Ferrari Austin protest risk
The risk of a post-race protest from Ferrari prompted Mercedes to make modifications to its radical wheel rim design ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Autosport has learned

As Mercedes seeks answers to its tyre temperature struggles in the Austin race, it has emerged that the team made last-minute tweaks to a rear wheel rim concept that had been under the spotlight ahead of the weekend.
The unique design of the Mercedes rim - which features internal holes to help blow air - has been viewed as one of the factors boosting the German manufacturer's recent run of victories.
But it had been the subject of a rules clarification from Ferrari in the build-up to the US GP.
Ferrari had wanted to know why the use of such holes, which in theory help energise airflow, were allowed even though they apply a similar concept to a design of wheel hub that Red Bull was banned from using back in 2012.
The FIA looked closely at the Mercedes design and was satisfied that it was fully legal, and informed both outfits that it saw no need to intervene.
As a result, and aware that Ferrari had the option of taking the matter further by lodging a protest post-race, the FIA advised Mercedes that there remained questions about its design.
It is understood that the risk of a protest - even though there was no suggestion Ferrari actually threatened to do so - meant Mercedes decided its safest option would be to modify its wheel rims to ensure that the areas of contention were addressed for now.
Although the FIA's stance that the wheel rims are legal would have given the team confidence had a protest emerged, it is well known that the views of the governing body are only ever advisory and the final decision is for the race stewards.
Mercedes likely felt that it would be best to avoid the chance of any post-race trouble that could overshadow its possible title success.
It is unclear what impact the changes to the wheel rims had on Mercedes' performance in Austin, but Lewis Hamilton hinted after the race that there were some unexpected factors that had impacted its tyre usage.
"We were forced into a two-stop race for certain things we had that weren't ideal with the car," he said.
"We didn't know that was going to be the case when we got into the race. If we hadn't had the problem we've had, tyre usage wouldn't have been anywhere near as big an issue."
It is understood that the FIA remains happy with the original Mercedes wheel rim design, so it is likely the team will push for further clarification about the matter ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix.

Previous article
Alonso wants to trial new driver's-eye-view onboard F1 camera
Next article
The upgrades Ferrari got right and wrong in recent F1 races

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Teams | Ferrari , Mercedes |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Mercedes modified wheel rims to avoid Ferrari Austin protest risk
Trending
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his team-mate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen’s emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber team-mate’s own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here’s how Nick Heidfeld’s career was chilled by the Iceman