Breaking news
Formula 1 British GP
Toro Rosso copies Ferrari mirrors design
Toro Rosso has copied Ferrari's lead in introducing channelled wing mirrors on to its cars at the British Grand Prix.
Giorgio Piola Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jul 6, 2018, 12:03 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Giorgio Piola's F1 technical analysis
Giorgio Piola is the preeminent Formula 1 technical journalist. View our full selection of Giorgio's technical illustrative content
With Toro Rosso pushing to improve its STR13 thanks to it being involved in an ultra-tight midfield battle, the mirrors show that the team is not leaving any stone unturned in its efforts.
The mirror idea is that by effectively opening up its face, a channel can be created through the mirror to help better manage airflow over the rest of the car. The air can then be directed to a specific place along the sidepod area.
Ordinarily the mirror is considered an interference and a source of drag rather than performance improvement – which is why teams have always tried to find ways to minimise their disturbance on the rest of the car.
Ferrari introduced the idea on its SF71H at the start of this season (see below), and has committed to the concept even though its mirrors are now mounted on the halo.
Ferrari SF71H side pods
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Mercedes changes
Toro Rosso was not the only team to trial a different mirror design, as Mercedes appeared with a double mirror in practice.
The extra structure fitted below the standard mirror could be a visibility test for a potential change of mirror design, or be about data gathering of tyre temperatures with lenses appearing to have been incorporated.
It is unclear if this bigger mirror housing is something that will only be run in practice, or will be carried forward into the rest of the weekend.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W09 mirror
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article British GP: Hamilton leads FP1, trouble for Verstappen
Next article Toro Rosso eyeing Ticktum as Hartley's 2019 replacement
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Giorgio Piola
The fascinating story behind McLaren's most iconic F1 car
Formula 1
Formula 1
The fascinating story behind McLaren's most iconic F1 car
Emilia Romagna GP: F1 technical images from Imola's pitlane
Formula 1
Formula 1
Emilia Romagna GP
Emilia Romagna GP: F1 technical images from Imola's pitlane
The F1 downforce choices that proved key at the Saudi GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
The F1 downforce choices that proved key at the Saudi GP
Latest news
Why Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak are returning to the WRC
WRC
WRC WRC 8 min
Why Kalle Rovanpera and Ott Tanak are returning to the WRC
Marco Bezzecchi not throwing in the towel on MotoGP title fight
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
58 min
Marco Bezzecchi not throwing in the towel on MotoGP title fight
Marco Antonelli: "I saw the champion in Kimi after his Australia crash"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Marco Antonelli: "I saw the champion in Kimi after his Australia crash"
Harvick: NASCAR may penalize Hocevar for 'dirtiest of dirty tricks'
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
1 h
Harvick: NASCAR may penalize Hocevar for 'dirtiest of dirty tricks'
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe