McLaren unconcerned by wing query

Date published : 04 Mar 2010 - 13:55:20

McLaren insists it has full confidence in the legality of its rear wing design, after Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner revealed that his team has asked the FIA to investigate it and clarify whether it is within the rules.There's a bit of fuss over McLaren's rear wing, Horner was quoted as saying by Thursday's Daily Telegraph.They have a slot on it [that affects the air flow] and they can pick up a lot of straight-line speed.I think it will get resolved before the first race.The contention is that McLaren is using the rear wing slot to stall the air flow thus reducing drag and boosting straight-line speed in a way that the aerodynamic regulations no longer permit.Basically, if you stall the wing you take all the drag off it and pick up straight-line speed, said Horner.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 However, Horner conceded that the FIA might well regard McLaren's interpretation as perfectly legitimate.They [McLaren] must be very confident that it's legal, he said.I would think it will be legal.But he suggested that Red Bull's concerns were shared by Ferrari, saying: We've asked the FIA for clarification, although I think Ferrari are probably more excited than we are.McLaren has given Horner's comments short shrift, however and says it has been assured by Ferrari that the Maranello team is not planning any protest.We're very confident that our car is entirely legal and we're not aware of any protest, said a McLaren spokesman.In fact, we've spoken to Ferrari this morning and they're not aware of any protest either.It remains to be seen whether the FIA will nip the disquiet in the bud by issuing a verdict on McLaren's design and clarifying the regulations or whether the matter will spiral into a full-blown controversy like that over double diffusers that dominated the early part of last season.