APRIL 8, 2011

More Red Bull front wing talk

Red Bull's margin of superiority in Melbourne has sparked more debate in Malaysia, specifically surrounding the front wing of the RB7, which its rivals believe runs lower than the spirit of the F1 regulations intend.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, no doubt wearied by the issue, which was originally raised midway through last season, said: "There's been so much said already that I don't think I need to add to it, but our car conforms to the regulations and we are happy with that. We run slightly differently set-up wise, with a bit more rake, which makes the rear a bit higher and the front a bit lower and you end up with a visual difference. The FIA are happy with that."

Asked his opinion, Mercedes team chief Ross Brawn explained: "There's a regulation which says that bodywork should be rigid, which we all know is impossible, so after that it's a question of degree of movement. So, the FIA has a set of tests and if you pass them your car is legal. These tests can change and they did over the winter. The FIA tries to improve their regulations and tests but Red Bull obviously passed and so that's all there is to say about it."

Brawn added: "Teams have to decide if it's the reason for the Red Bull performance and whether to go that route, or make sure it's not just an excuse for why they are winning everything. The whole approach to the car is a philosophy and I think it's fair to say that over the winter, with new tests, some thought that the position would change, and it hasn't."