LUSAIL, Qatar — Toto Wolff says Pink Bull is seeing “ghosts” after rival crew principal Christian Horner claimed scuff marks on the rear wing of the Mercedes have been linked to flexing bodywork.

On Friday, Pink Bull circulated photographs to TV broadcasters of scuff marks on the rear wing endplate beneath the principle plain of the Mercedes’ rear wing.

In a number of interviews, Horner has claimed the marks are indicative of the principle a part of the wing flexing beneath aerodynamic load, thereby reducing drag and growing prime velocity on the straights.

Though some flexing of bodywork is inevitable on an F1 automobile, moveable aerodynamic gadgets are outlawed beneath the laws and there have been quite a few options from Pink Bull that Mercedes could also be gaining an unlawful benefit.

However Wolff dismissed the pictures of the scuff marks.

“I am unable to see something on this picture apart from stuff being scratched — a ghost,” Wolff mentioned. “I do not know the place they obtained this picture from and what it exhibits. It is a ghost.”

Stricter rear wing load checks are because of be launched by the FIA over the Qatar Grand Prix race weekend, however Wolff mentioned they have been basically a trial for 2022 and was assured the Mercedes would cross them regardless.

“I feel they’re attempting a brand new load check, additionally for subsequent 12 months, to have this stuff extra sturdy and checking how a lot a wing deflects,” Wolff mentioned. “I feel it isn’t within the laws or a TD however extra of an experiment.

“However it will likely be attention-grabbing to see the outcomes, as a result of I feel we’re on the nice aspect. However I’m pre-empting as a result of I do not know what the outcomes are or once they need to do it. We have to discover out with the storage.”

Mercedes and Pink Bull are engaged in a decent title battle, with Lewis Hamilton 14 factors behind Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen within the drivers’ standings.

Requested if he anticipated Pink Bull to protest Mercedes at one of many closing three races of 2021, Wolff added: “I do not know what they’re planning on doing, however as I mentioned, I am unable to sustain [with the accusations]. I am unable to comply with their pondering.

“It appears erratic. However that is OK as a result of I do not need to put any extra oil within the flames.

“We are attempting to have a look at ourselves and do the very best job. We’re nonetheless on the again foot with 14 factors [in the drivers’ championship] and we have to do a superb race tomorrow. That is what counts.”