The latest technical innovation, dubbed ‘FRIC’ for front and rear inter connected suspension, won’t lead to a spending war, according to team principal Ross Brawn.
His outfit, Mercedes, is believed to be just one of two teams using the system which links the front and rear suspension hydraulically to keep the cars ride-height constant under braking, acceleration and cornering.
Lotus is believed to be the only other outfit using something similar – both of which have been developing and perfecting the system for several seasons.
It’s led to several other outfits developing their own, but Brawn doesn’t believe a spending war will break out as a result.
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked about the matter.
“Ever since F1 cars have been invented and aerodynamics were understood, the compromise between suspension and aerodynamics has always been that – a compromise.
“You want a nice softly sprung car, but you cannot do that because you compromise the aerodynamics too much.
“So every year I have been in F1 I have always tried to seek that ideal balance between suspension performance and aerodynamic performance, and it is no different today to how it has been for many years.”
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