The Mercedes W09 has passed an FIA check after Ferrari questioned the legality of their wheel hub design.

The current leaders in the 2018 constructor standings have recently introduced a new rear wheel rim and hub design which has been used at the last few race weekends.

According to Autosport, Ferrari queried why the Northamptonshire-based outfit were able to run with a rim design that featured a collection of holes that resemble a concept that Red Bull was banned from using at the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix.

Under article 3.15 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations, teams were told that “any specific part of the car influencing its aerodynamic performance” must remain “immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car and must be “rigidly secured to the entire sprung part of the car.”

The new design has helped Mercedes with a long-running problem of cooling their tyres and, after the FIA investigated the respective wheel hubs extensively, they are happy that Mercedes are not in breach of any regulations.

This change was subsequently followed up with suspension tweaks and a new rear wheel hub design which was utilised at the Singapore Grand Prix – a race where Mercedes shocked the F1 world and pulled off a major upset over Ferrari.

This incident is the latest chapter between the two rival teams in their fierce development war, which has also seen Ferrari change their mirror design and have secondary sensors fitted to monitor their double battery system.

Mercedes superstar Lewis Hamilton sits on the brink of a fifth Formula 1 world title, a milestone previously reached by only two other drivers in the sport’s history - Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher. 

Sebastian Vettel to win the US Grand Prix (3/1)*

This historic achievement not only comes down to the masterful ability of Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel, but the Mercedes engineers, mechanics and executives who have built by far the most reliable, fast and competitive car Formula 1 has ever seen.

*Odds subject to change