Whiting to check McLaren wing
05/03/2010 The FIA's Charlie Whiting is to visit McLaren's Woking HQ to check the legality of the rear wing on its MP4-25 following claims that Red Bull and Ferrari believe it contravenes the rules. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner admitted that there was concern at the wing, which is said to reduce drag and thereby increase top speed. His comments came just days after McLaren's Lewis Hamilton posted the fastest time in the final pre-season test. Convinced that there is no case to answer, and clearly wanting the matter cleared up before next week's season opener, McLaren has invited Whiting to its factory to check the controversial wing. "The wing is different and innovative, yes," said team boss Martin Whitmarsh, according to the Daily Telegraph. "But we have been in contact with Charlie Whiting over a period of several months to check that it complies with regulations. We have been assured that it does." Despite Horner's claim that Ferrari is "more excited" about the wing than his team, the Italian manufacturer claims that it will not take the matter further. However, that does not mean that the Maranello team won't seek clarification from the FIA, for if it is legal and effective - much like we witnesses last year in terms of the double diffuser - rival teams will want to copy it. Confirming that Whiting will be visiting Woking, an FIA spokesman said that McLaren had already sought and received its assurance regarding the wing's legality. "We have no concerns with it," he said, "but we have been invited by the team to view the car so Charlie is going down to have a look." |
