Two more 2013 cars pass FIA crash tests

The monocoque of two more F1 teams’ 2013 cars have passed the mandatory FIA crash tests.

According to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, one of them is Mercedes’ W04, to be raced next year by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

The report said the silver single seater will have a new and smaller gearbox, totally different sidepods for the Coanda exhaust, and rear suspension designed to be flexible to geometry changes if required to suit Pirelli’s new tyres.

Meanwhile, Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo said the successor to Ferrari’s 2012 car has also passed the FIA’s monocoque crash tests.

Earlier this month, Sauber became the first team to announce that its new car, the C32, had passed the FIA crash tests and was therefore clear to begin winter testing in February.