Red Bull team boss Christian Horner made it clear that he had no concerns over the legality of the Mercedes W13 after having reportedly suggested that it contravened the spirit of the rules.
Mercedes turned up to the opening day of the final pre-season test in Bahrain on Thursday with a bold new car, featuring dramatically shrunken sidepods that caught the eye and became the talk of the F1 paddock. Their winglet mirror mounts have also raised eyebrows in the pitlane.
Horner was quoted by German publication Auto Motor und Sport as saying the design violated the 'spirit' of the regulations in comments Red Bull described as being incorrect.
Speaking at the official news conference at the Sakhir circuit on Friday, he emphasised that he had seen nothing legally problematic on the Mercedes.
"Comments have been quoted that certainly weren't made," said the Briton, who engaged in an at times bitter off-track rivalry with Mercedes rival Toto Wolff during last year's heated title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
"I think that the car is obviously innovative, it's an interesting solution. As far as we're concerned the Mercedes car looks like it complies with the regulations," insisted Horner.
Horner: Is the Merc quick or not? Only time will tell...
When pressed on whether he felt the revised car met not just the letter but also the spirit of the regulations, Horner said that was for the sport's governing FIA to judge: "There's not really anything that defines the spirit of the regulations.
"A design like that would surely have been submitted in advance. Is it quick or not? Only time will tell. But in terms of its compliance, that's very much an FIA matter."
Mercedes' wing mirrors have also come under the scanner with Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto expressing concern that they had been designed to aid the car's aerodynamics.
"Already in the past we always argue the mirrors should not have any aero purpose," said Binotto on Thursday, adding that he had no issues with the sidepod design.
"They should be there just to look behind. I think that the way that they have designed their car, certainly there is a significant aero purpose in the mirrors itself. I think it is something that we need to stop for the future..."
Horner expected the topic to come up at a technical meeting set for next week: "That will probably be addressed and discussed there. You certainly don't want to get into a mirror war."
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