Teams wary of new 'copygate': 'We have to rely on the FIA'

Racing Point's "pink Mercedes" caused quite a stir in the paddock in 2020. The team is said to have largely copied the 2019 Mercedes and was eventually found guilty by the FIA of not developing their own rear brake shafts.

Prevent new copygate

Despite this Racing Point was allowed to continue the season and finished fourth in the championship. With the new rules for 2022 coming in, team owners are wary of a repeat of this 'copygate'.

McLaren team boss Zak Brown is therefore hoping for tighter controls from the FIA and is particularly keen that a level playing field is maintained in Formula One. "But there is the possibility of cooperation," says Brown on Motorsport-Total.com. "So we have to trust the FIA to keep an eye on the situation and review everything accordingly."

Rules clarified

According to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, precautions have now been taken. "The rules were clarified again at the end of last year. Everything that could have been interpreted in any way has been clearly laid down. That way everyone knows what is allowed and what is not allowed." Still, cooperation between teams cannot be completely ruled out, Wolff believes. "Within the rules, some infrastructure may be shared, such as renting out the wind tunnel to smaller teams."

Artificial advantages

In any case, Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner does not want teams to be able to gain "artificial advantages", but is not afraid of a repeat of 2020. "Last year the rules were pushed to the limit. The FIA is aware of that." Horner also cites the collaboration with AlphaTauri in this regard."We take this very, very seriously. In our relationship with AlphaTauri, we are scrupulous about our procedures to comply with the rules."