A ban on sidepod mounted mirrors has been delayed until the Spanish Grand Prix, after teams complained to the FIA that there was not enough time to make modifications to their cars in time for the next race.
The governing body told teams prior to the Malaysian Grand Prix that outboard mirrors were being outlawed on safety grounds from the Chinese GP. The move came after several near misses in practice and qualifying in Australia, which prompted drivers to speak to F1 race director Charlie Whiting in Melbourne to ask if something could be done to help improve rearward visibility.
Whiting agreed to act and the FIA wanted all mirrors to be mounted on the cockpit from the Chinese Grand Prix. However, a number of teams expressed concern that with their cars not returning to Europe prior to Shanghai it was impossible to make the proper modifications in time for the next race. It is understood that the FIA has agreed to delay the ban until the Spanish Grand Prix in May, which will give teams another few weeks to make the necessary changes.
The move to outlaw outboard mirrors could have a big effect on the aerodynamics of the cars that use them – including championship front-runners Red Bull Racing and Ferrari.