Mercedes wheel rim design given all clear in Mexico

Mercedes' wheel rim design has been given the go-ahead by the Mexico Grand Prix race stewards. The part in question was deemed to be within the regulations by the FIA but the team opted not to run the part in Austin due to the chance of a post-race protest by Ferrari.

The stewards issued a statement ahead of the race that gave the team the nod to use the parts and that the stewards found the design to be in line with the rules: “should Mercedes run the part as described in the correspondence between Mercedes and the FIA’s Technical Department, the Stewards would consider this part to be in conformity with the regulations.”

The design itself relates to holes in the wheel rims that the team say are solely used for cooling purposes. Their rivals argued that it does, in fact, provide an aerodynamic benefit and by doing so, is against the rules relating to moveable aerodynamic parts.

Ferrari had asked for clarification after the Japanese Grand Prix and the FIA approved the concept, however to avoid any potential dramas post-race, Mercedes chose not to use the design for the US Grand Prix until a clear statement had been issued on the matter.

Both Mercedes cars appeared to have the part in question fitted on Thursday but it remains to be seen if they will run the part during the race weekend with Lewis Hamilton only needing to finish seventh or higher to clinch the championship no matter what Sebastian Vettel does.