F1 Drivers Want Cameras And Screens Instead Of Traditional Mirrors

Kevin Magnussen’s defensive move on Charles Leclerc at Suzuka sparked a conversation about how rear visibility is currently limited on Formula 1 cars and how hard it is, for example, to judge the closing speed of a trailing car, especially when it’s using DRS.

Even though adjustments to the mirrors will be made next year, cameras have already been suggested as an alternative that’s meant to increase visibility even more.

However, according to the FIA, there are three major issues that would have to be addressed first: the brightness in different weather conditions, whether to have the packaging inside the cockpit or outside, plus concerns about drivers having to switch their focus onto screens that lack perspective – an issue that doesn’t exist with traditional mirrors.

“Charlie Whiting said it was maybe judged in the heat of the moment a bit too light on Kevin,” said Carlos Sainz Jr in an interview with Autosport.

“We also realize that with the mirrors that we have we cannot see behind us, so that probably Kevin’s move was intentional but also wrongly-judged because of the mirrors, which is something that’s happened to me previously, so I’m not going to put full blame on him.”

“We have to put a bit of the blame into knowing that the mirrors we have are not good enough for F1 standards. We’ve proposed having cameras, instead of a simple mirror, and I think the FIA is going to have a look at it.”

Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas also spoke in favor of cameras replacing mirrors, saying that he sees no reason why they wouldn’t work out.

“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,” added the Finn.