Martin Whitmarsh is keen to give the experimental adjustable rear-wing concept a chance in 2011, despite criticisms from within Formula One.
FOTA and the FIA have both agreed to include the new system, which allows a following driver to adjust their rear-wing for extra straight-line speed at a predetermined position on the track, in the regulations for next season.
Several drivers and F1 pundits have highlighted the dangers of massive closing speeds on opponents into corners, Mark Webber’s accident in Valencia was a perfect demonstration of what can happen.
Whitmarsh though has defended the system and says the F1 bosses are damned if they do and damned if they don’t, when making changes to F1.
“We will see whether people are convinced by it or not,” ITV-F1 quote Whitmarsh as saying. “There were a lot of people saying ‘when are we going to do something?’ There was a lot of fan-based pressure to do something, and I think we are damned if we do, damned if we don’t.
“This is something which we believe can be implemented fairly, simply and safely. I think we have got to do a little bit more work on deployment and the sporting regulations that accompany it, and if we get that right we’ll give it a go. If it detracts [or] isn’t right, it’s easy to take it off and fix the rear wing – but let’s have a look at it. It’s a bit of an experiment.
“I think we have got a great show [and] we should be careful not to spoil it, but at the same time we shouldn’t be complacent. We should always be thinking about how we create some entertainment. The nice thing is it was a co-operative [agreement] – there was a lot of discussion, the experts came up with the idea, we’ve agreed [and] we’re pushing it through.”
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