The controversy surrounding McLaren’s ugly radical rear wing design looks set to simmer on for a few more days, with the originally-scheduled inspection by the FIA delegates having to be postponed until the season-opening Bahrain GP.
Red Bull Racing has lodged a clarification with the FIA regarding the wing’s legality, expressing concerns that its design allows it to stall at high speed to provide the car more top-end speed.
McLaren moved quickly to invite the FIA’s technical chief Charlie Whiting to inspect the wing at its McLaren headquarters, but the inspection had to be postponed when Whiting’s return flight from a trip to South America was delayed.
McLaren has again been at pains to stress the wing’s legality, with Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh telling the Daily Telegraph, “The wing is different and innovative, yes. But we have been in contact with Charlie over a period of several months to check that it complies with regulations. We have been assured that it does."
The FIA have had a history of making an about-face on such rulings in the past, and let’s hope for McLaren’s sake that this isn’t the case!
Richard Bailey
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