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Drivers want screens in cockpit to replace mirrors

16:12, 26 Oct 2018

byNicolás Quarles van Ufford

In the drivers' briefing ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, and the drivers have let it known that they would prefer a camera and a screen inside the cockpit rather than mirrors, as the current mirrors have a big blind spot.

Motorsport has reported that after the collision between Kevin Magnussen and Charles Leclerc in Japan, the subject of alternative mirrors has been on the agenda of both the drivers and the FIA. The current mirrors don't have enough visibility, which can make it very hard for a driver to know where an opponent is exactly when they're in a battle.

There are new rules regarding mirrors set to be introduced for the 2019-season, but drivers still have proposed an alternative - cameras and screens.

“We have to put a bit of the blame into knowing that the mirrors that we have are not good enough for F1 standards," Sainz told Motorsport.

“We’ve proposed having cameras, instead of a simple mirror, which is something that they have in other categories, and I think the FIA is going to have a look at it. But it is not something that has been clarified yet.

“It’s come from the drivers, we know other categories drivers have it. I think they have it in the WEC. It doesn’t mean that it’s going to come, but it could be an option.”

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas agreed with the Spaniard, adding that the technology is already available in road cars.

“I see no reason why it wouldn’t work,” he said.

“I think there are many road cars and other racing cars with some clever stuff done with the mirrors, with a screen and small cameras.

“The technology is there. This should be the leading sport for technology, so I’m sure it can be done, and it would be nice to see.”