FIA issue technical clarification following request from Ferrari

The FIA is preparing to issue a clarification regarding the
operation of a diffuser design used by the Mercedes team. As part
of a recent upgrade package, Mercedes added extensions to the rear
diffuser as it continued to push to retain its advantage at the
head of the pecking order. This year, F1 entered the sport under a
new set of technical regulations, opening the scope for innovative
ideas. The Mercedes diffuser is one such example of this, while
another instance is Ferrari and Red Bull’s ‘Macarena’ rear wing
that rotates on its axis. However, Mercedes’ diffuser has caught
the attention of rival teams, with Ferrari asking the FIA for
clarification on whether the design is legal or not. This has often
been done in the past, as the inquiring team often weigh up if it
can develop its own version of the innovation. But if that is not
the intention, the FIA can issue a rule clarification to stop the
design from being replicated and demand that the existing design be
scrapped. Sometimes, this can take effect immediately, while on
other occasions, teams have time to make the necessary
adjustments.  RacingNews365 understands that this is the case for
Mercedes’ diffuser following the request from Ferrari. A document
is being prepared with the Austrian Grand Prix being pinned as the
starting point for it to take effect, however Mercedes is
attempting to delay it until the following race at Silverstone.
This is due to logistical challenges, as the trucks have already
left the factory for Austria.  The legal floor, in the eyes of
Mercedes, is included, and it would require extra effort to arrive
with a modified version.