McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says he isn’t aware of the rumoured FIA interest in their flexible front-wing.
A report in the German publication Auto und Motor Sport claims the governing body has opened dialogue with McLaren and Red Bull in regards to their front-wings, which its believed are rotating [changing angle] at high-speed to offer an advantage, following a complaint from Ferrari.
Whitmarsh though says whilst such discussions could be taking place behind closed doors at the FIA, he isn’t aware and the Woking team haven’t been approached.
“There have been no specific conversations to my knowledge,” he said during a Vodafone McLaren phone-in. “That doesn’t mean they haven’t happened, but I think I would probably know.
“I think the regulations require the wings to be rigid, but of course no wing or aerodynamic surface is infinitely rigid.”
Whitmarsh doesn’t see there being an issue, nor does he believe the speculation will have an impact on the teams title bid.
“From time to time questions and disputes arise between teams, who feel that other teams are too flexible or whatever,” he added. “I don’t envisage any particular problems for McLaren in that regard, and consequently I don’t think that it is anything that will harm us.
“From time to time many teams get spoken to by the FIA and are expected to correct a situation. But we’re not in such a situation ourselves and I’m not aware, and I don’t believe, that it is going to be an issue that will affect the championship.”
