OCTOBER 3, 2012

McLaren denies flexible front wing issues

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has denied stories eminating from Germany that suggest both McLaren and Red Bull could be hampered by a further clampdown on flexible front wings from the sport's governing body, the FIA.

The German publication Auto Moto Und Sport suggested that the FIA has been asked to investigate suspicions that the two leading teams have found a way to rotate the front wings at speed, reducing drag and affording a straightline speed advantage.

Whitmarsh, however, said: "I don't envisage any particular problem for McLaren in that regard in the near term and I don't think it's anything that will harm us. Also, I'm not aware of anything with Red Bull.

"The FIA technical department has to remain vigilant and be testing front wings, rear wings and attachments all the time, and making sure that teams don't find creative ways to circumvent the intention of the regulations.

"From time to time teams get spoken to by the FIA and are expected to correct a situation. We are not in such a situation ourselves."

McLaren has set the pace in F1 from the Hungarian GP at the end of July, taking pole position for the last four grands prix, leading them all and wiining three.