Mercedes paranoid about rule change: 'That is one of their greatest fears'

The cars were originally supposed to remain unchanged for 2021, but halfway through last season the FIA came up with some modifications that could have a major impact on the course of the coming season. Even Mercedes are worried about it.

For 2021, the FIA has stipulated that a piece of the floor in front of the rear tyres must be removed. The grooves and holes that are currently allowed in the floor will also disappear. The aim of this is to allow the cars to generate less downward pressure, so that the current Pirelli tyres can continue to be used safely.

This is what Michael Schmidt says in the Formula Schmidt podcast from Auto Motor und Sport. He has heard noises from the Mercedes camp indicating that they are also very concerned about the consequences of removing the piece of floor there.

"That is one of their greatest fears on the road to 2021, they are even a little paranoid. They are even a little paranoid. They are afraid that the new floor will come into its own better with one car than with another. It was not possible to analyse that in detail before they agreed to those rules," says Schmidt.