Latest F1 news in brief

Marko slams everyone, now its Mercedes.

Selfish Mercedes approved 2019 rules – Marko
Todt hits back at complaining drivers
Pirelli Will Not Be Forced Into 'Bidding War' For F1 Contract
FIA says dumping blue flags 'on the agenda'
FIA clarifies mirror mounting on Halos

Selfish Mercedes approved 2019 rules – Marko
(GMM) Mercedes backed the rule changes for 2019 because it suits them and hurts rivals, Red Bull official Dr Helmut Marko claims.

Many were surprised when the changes, featuring a completely different front wing that should make overtaking easier, were voted through by teams who traditionally struggle to agree.

Auto Motor und Sport claims that Mercedes and Force India only submitted their 'yes' votes 15 minutes before the deadline.

"Actually we were 60 against it and 40 for it," said team boss Toto Wolff.

"Then we looked at the concept and saw that it made sense. You can't always veto," he added.

However, Red Bull's Marko sees another reason why Mercedes would agree to the change.

"Mercedes wanted the new rules because they're at the end with their aerodynamic concept. They want to start from scratch because it hurts us," he said.

Todt hits back at complaining drivers

FIA boss Jean Todt

(GMM) Jean Todt has hit back at top drivers who say they want more say about the rules in formula one.

In Barcelona, Sebastian Vettel called the 2019 rule changes designed to boost overtaking "comical".

"Not to say that we know everything, but we know how the cars feel," said the Ferrari driver. "But we're not really asked."

Daniel Ricciardo agreed: "Our opinions should at least be heard."

And world champion Lewis Hamilton said: "We should make the decisions."

But FIA president Todt lashed out at the drivers, saying there are already structures in place so that they can have a say.

"It's up to them," the Frenchman is quoted by the German newsmagazine Focus.

"Anyone who wants to speak with me, whether it's a top driver or otherwise, can do it within 48 hours," Todt added.

The FIA president also expressed frustration that the drivers chose to air their views publicly at the Spanish grand prix, forcing him to now respond.

"I don't want to now read the headline 'Todt contradicts Vettel', but that's what you'll do," said Todt.

Pirelli Will Not Be Forced Into 'Bidding War' For F1 Contract

Marco Tronchetti Provera has no desire to lose their shirt on F1 by getting into a bidding war

Pirelli is "keen" to extend its Formula 1 deal beyond next year but will not be forced into a "bidding war," according to Scott Mitchell of MOTORSPORT.

The Italian tire manufacturer has been F1's sole supplier since taking over the role from Bridgestone in '10. It is understood Pirelli Exec Vice Chair & CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera told shareholders on Tuesday that its participation beyond '19, the end of its current agreement, "is not guaranteed."

Provera said that Pirelli's participation in F1 had "worked well but it would not be held to ransom" and the company is "seeking similar commercial terms to its present deal."

He explained that it was "not essential" for Pirelli to stay in F1 "given its huge presence" in int'l motorsport. As well as being the sole tire supplier to the World Superbike Championship, Pirelli claims to support 460 car and bike events each year.

A Pirelli spokesperson said, "As we have always said, Formula 1 is a good match for us and we are happy and honored to stay there. But if it comes down to a bidding war, we would not stay at any cost." MOTORSPORT

FIA says dumping blue flags 'on the agenda'
The FIA says the removal of blue flags is on its agenda, but admits getting the rule changed would be “quite something" as it would be a “hugely unpopular" decision amongst teams and drivers.

Formula 1 utilizes blue flags as a warning to slower drivers that they are to be lapped by another car and, as per the rules, must move over without impeding. However they are a point of contention with back marker rivals claiming it damages their race, particularly if they’re involved in a battle for position at the time.

Meanwhile leading drivers are in favor of the flags, but often complain they’re not respected.

That has prompted a call that they should be removed, but the FIA has been reluctant to do so. However Charlie Whiting admitted this week that the matter is up for consideration.

“There’s been talk about that," he said. “It’s been proposed a few times. [It would be] hugely unpopular with teams and drivers, of course.

“It’s something that is on the agenda, so to speak. It’s not been rejected completely but it’s something that we would have to look carefully at to make sure that it wasn’t overly exploited.

“But I think the principle, in many forms of racing, which they don’t have such a luxury, that it’s something we are going to discuss."

Whiting added that getting the rule change approved would be difficult and when asked to put a percentage on it, he replied: “Less than 50 per cent I would say. But that’s just a figure. But I mean it’s not popular, as I said, I think it would be quite something to get that through. But we need to think through it carefully."

FIA clarifies mirror mounting on Halos

The FIA felt the Ferrari mounting provided some sort of aero advantage

The FIA issued this statement with regard to F1 mirror mounting:

The FIA would like to clarify its position with regard to rear view mirror mountings. Whilst the FIA accepts that teams will legitimately design the mirrors, housings and mountings to minimize any negative aerodynamic effects they may cause, we believe that any aerodynamic benefits should be incidental, or at least minimal. In order to ensure this is the case all mountings must:

a) Provide a meaningful structural contribution to the mounting system. If you use more than one mounting you may be asked to satisfy us, by way of a physical test, to demonstrate this.

b) Be mounted to the lower and/or inboard surface(s) of the mirror housing.

As the criteria for determining the eligibility of a mounting are to some extent subjective, the FIA would be available to discuss the legality of a new design before you introduce it in a race, to avoid wasting resource, time or money. For the sake of clarity, the various provisions made in TD/014-18 still apply for halo-mounted mirrors. The FIA expect to have full compliance with the present technical directive by the next race.

The FIA do acknowledge that the rules currently in force with regard to mirrors are not perfect, and will strive to propose a more complete set of rules in terms of mirror position, mountings, visibility, etc. in the near future, with the aim to get a unanimous support for such changes for 2019.