Design of Hamilton’s Mercedes is illegal claim Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton’s new Mercedes has been called “illegal” by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner as a rules row threatens to engulf the new Formula One season.

Just 10 days before the first race, Hamilton's Mercedes team unveiled a radicallyrevisedmachineonthe opening day of the final test in Bahrain.

The focus is on Mercedes’ virtually non-existent sidepods, designed to provide greaterairflowandimprove downforce.

Mercedes’ innovative design comes after the biggest technical overhaul of the sport's rulebook in a generation. However, Hornerquestionedwhether hisrivalshavebenttherules.

In an interview with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, Horner said: "From our point of view, Mercedes went a step too far. For us, these wings are illegal."

Rival teams could protest the Mercedes at the opening round in the Gulf Kingdom on March 20. The car could also be outlawed if eight of the grid's 10 teams – a so-called “super majority” – believe the concept is not within the spirit of the revamped regulations.

F1 boss Ross Brawn, who spearheaded the rule change, admitted he was caught off-guard by Mercedes’ design. He said: “There are some very extreme interpretations of theregulationswhichcould lead to a lot of debate.

"We did not anticipate the Mercedes concept. The regulators of the sport know what's going on – I think they're OK with it so far – butateammaycomeinand raise an objection.”

Butmercedesteamprincipaltotowolffsaidheisconfident the team's car is legal.

“Whenyougodownaspecificdevelopmentdirection, the FIA scrutinises it, and you make them a part of the process,” he said. “That is why I think it will be OK.

“We have new governance with the super majority. I would have preferred to stay with the old system where if a team comes up withaninnovationyoucannot take it off the car as long as it is compliant with the regulations.