Red Bull and Ferrari seek Mclaren wing Clarification

[Wanta996Gotta]

Interesting development here about Mclarens rear wing

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has revealed that his team and Ferrari are seeking clarification from the FIA about the legality of McLaren's rear wing design.

The design of the MP4-25 was the subject of discussion during last week's final pre-season test at Barcelona in Spain - amid suggestions that the layout of its airbox and engine cover was helping to stall the rear-wing at high-speed and delivering the car extra straight-line performance.

Now, Horner has revealed, his team and Ferrari have taken the matter to the FIA to ask whether the governing body believes it to be legal.

"There's a bit of a fuss over McLaren's rear wing," Horner said during a lunch with British newspaper journalists.

"They have a slot on it and they can pick up a lot of straight-line speed. I think it will get resolved before the first race. We've asked the FIA for clarification although I think Ferrari are probably more excited than we are to be honest."

Horner said that the introduction of wing slot-gap separators several years ago was designed to stop attempts to stall wings - but he thinks the McLaren design could be being used as a way of getting around the regulations.

"Basically, if you stall the wing you take all the drag off it and pick up straight-line speed," he said. "It's something that's been done quite a lot over the years but with the wing separators you're not supposed to do that.

"Our question ultimately will be: 'Is it clever design or is it in breach of the regulations'?"

He added: "They must be very confident that it's legal. I would think it will be legal."

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Thursday 4th March 09:30

[Marcia]

Here we go again

[spend]

Sounds as though Ferrari have most to lose (after changing the engine rake for forward exhaust exits) if the Mclaren design is ratified. I did wonder if the tone of some of CH's comments was related to that.

[Mini1275]

McLaren = FIA. It will be banned

[Get Karter]

Marcia said:

Here we go again

It's always going to be a part of motor racing. Even at the lowest level of the sport where the regs are simpler.

I'm sure though, like Brawn last year, McLaren have done their homework and are 100% legal.

[Marcia]

It's pathetic,just because Ferrari did'nt think of it first they want pi55 on McLaren's parade.This could be interersting,Brawn,Toyota and Williams got away with their double diffusers last year,but because it's McLaren... Hopefully it will be deemed legal.

[sheps]

Marcia said:

It's pathetic,just because Ferrari did'nt think of it first they want pi55 on McLaren's parade.This could be interersting,Brawn,Toyota and Williams got away with their double diffusers last year,but because it's McLaren... Hopefully it will be deemed legal.

Ferrari hater / Mclaren lover!

The interview is with someone from RB !!

[Mazda Baiter]

Mini1275 said:

McLaren = FIA. It will be banned

I don't know if you noticed, but sometime last year there were reports in the specialist Motor-racing press that there was a new President of the FIA. The old one, who seemed to hold a large grudge against a certain F1 team came to the end of his (overlong) reign as Head of world Motorsport.

The new president (although past affiliated to more than one manufacturer) has not shown any signs of bias yet, indeed he has put the wheels in motion for structures to be put in place to make sure that the President doesn't have an influence over matters such as the one being discussed here.

[Wanta996Gotta]

Latest from Mclaren

McLaren believes there will be no legality issue with the design of its rear wing, despite Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner revealing that his team is seeking clarification from the FIA over the matter.

Horner told the British newspaper media that his outfit and Ferrari were unhappy about the way that McLaren was using the airbox and engine cover to help stall the rear wing of the MP4-25 - which could give the team a straight-line advantage.

"There's a bit of a fuss over McLaren's rear wing," Horner was quoted as saying. "They have a slot on it and they can pick up a lot of straight-line speed.

"I think it will get resolved before the first race. We've asked the FIA for clarification although I think Ferrari are probably more excited than we are to be honest."

]McLaren has, however, moved to play down the matter - and says it is not only sure the design is wholly within the regulations but also has questioned whether Ferrari are as upset as Red Bull Racing.

A spokesman for the Woking-based team said: "We're very confident that our car is entirely legal - and we're not aware of any protest. In fact, we've spoken to Ferrari this morning and they're not aware of any protest either."

Ferrari has so far been unavailable for comment about the matter.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Thursday 4th March 11:21

[oilspill]

Marcia said:

It's pathetic,just because Ferrari did'nt think of it first they want pi55 on McLaren's parade.

And how do you know that?

Stalling the rear wing is against the spirit of the rules, hence why some teams probably didn't bother looking at it.
I'm pretty sure Adrian Newey could stall the rear wing if he put his mind to it, hence why Red Bull want it *clarified*.
There are plenty of other areas teams could moan about, if it was a just a childish case of 'didn't think of it first'.

[andyps]

Presumably a bit like the diffusers last year, it is within the rules and other teams want to ensure it is not going to be banned before they spend money copying it.

[AndrewW-G]

All the teams look at each other’s designs and ask the same sorts of questions, if this had been McLaren asking the FIA to clarify the rules around something on the Red Bull, the only discussion on here would be whether or not it was technically a good idea.................instead of the rapid adoption and use of the PH standard issue tinfoil hat.

[spunkytherabbit]

Mazda Baiter said:

Mini1275 said:

McLaren = FIA. It will be banned

I don't know if you noticed, but sometime last year there were reports in the specialist Motor-racing press that there was a new President of the FIA. The old one, who seemed to hold a large grudge against a certain F1 team came to the end of his (overlong) reign as Head of world Motorsport.

The new president (although past affiliated to more than one manufacturer) has not shown any signs of bias yet, indeed he has put the wheels in motion for structures to be put in place to make sure that the President doesn't have an influence over matters such as the one being discussed here.

Yep and also the fact that it is largely thought he left Ferrari on somewhat acrimonious terms. Patched up by now no doubt as Luca realised the implications of his old (pissed off), poacher now turning game keeper, but still you gotta say Todt probably enough motivation to tell Ferrari to 'go away' because of it.

I do like Horner's comment though 'Ferrari are probably more excited about it than us'!!

[ajprice]

So McLaren asked Ferrari if a protest had been made, Ferrari said no. They don't say if Mclaren asked Ferrari if a clarification had been asked for. Technically, how big is the difference between a protest and asking for clarification in the legal world of F1 and the FIA?

[BigBen]

Only Red Bull have complaned according to a source with in Ferrari (read that on either JA or Autosport). I would imagine McLaren have been very careful to keep squeeky clean.

[ADEuk]

ajprice said:

So McLaren asked Ferrari if a protest had been made, Ferrari said no. They don't say if Mclaren asked Ferrari if a clarification had been asked for. Technically, how big is the difference between a protest and asking for clarification in the legal world of F1 and the FIA?

I don't think they can protest until the first race scrutineering has taken place. Not 100% certain though

[Alfie Noakes]

He stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plumb and said "It's not us it's Ferrari".

[Wanta996Gotta]

Alfie Noakes said:

He stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plumb and said "It's not us it's Ferrari".

Yes, this does not look good for Redbull now that Ferrari have said that they did not make an issue of it. One of these two teams is going to look like an idiot over the coming days. Either Ferrari have complained or Redbull have put Ferrari's name in there to cover there backs as Horner has said they are working on a similar system that they will incorporate if deemed legal.

Something not right here.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Thursday 4th March 12:05

[rev-erend]

They have seen Macers speed in testing and want to throw a spanner in the works..

F1 normal progress has resumed.

It's like corrie or East enders for blokes

[AndrewW-G]

Wanta996Gotta said:

Something not right here.

Business as usual for F1 - somebody does something new - other teams ask FIA for clarification its legal - FIA yes / no - if yes everybody copies - if no, protest at first race...................................... exactly the same thing that happened at the start of the last season

A quick look at previous tech protests and you'll find examples of EVERY SINGLE TEAM in the top 10 at some point asking for clarification or protesting somebody elses car including McLaren!

Edited by AndrewW-G on Thursday 4th March 12:22