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Whitmarsh defuses talk of new wing
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2010, Saturday
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FORMULA One teams could decide not to use a new adjustable rear wing next season if they feel the sport will not benefit from it, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said.
The governing International Automobile Federation announced last week that it was allowing previously-banned driver-adjustable bodywork in 2011 to help increase the amount of overtaking and 'improve the show'.
Under the regulations, drivers will be able to open up a slot in the rear wing via control electronics at pre-determined positions around the circuit to give the car more straight-line speed when chasing a rival.
Whitmarsh, who is also chairman of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA), said after speaking at a Fan Forum on Thursday that the move was a response to pressure to create more overtaking but teams needed to keep an open mind.
"I think we've got to be careful. We could even just agree not to deploy it," he said, warning that an initial rush of enthusiasm might have been overdone.
"I think we've got to decide carefully how we use a tool like that. I think we've got to look at it at the beginning of the year.
"Formula One has got to overcome this arrogance of saying 'We've had a great idea, all our ideas are great and we must never admit to having a bad one'," added the Briton.
"If everyone builds it then you can then play with it and in early testing if the conclusion is this will not be to the benefit of the show, then we should just say don't use it."
The forum was billed as a chance for fans to put questions to Formula One insiders and for the latter to listen to their concerns. Whitmarsh joined Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes, Force India reserve driver Paul di Resta, Mercedes GP race engineer Jock Clear and Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni on the panel.
The atmosphere was good natured, while questions ranged from the cost of tickets to environmental concerns.
"We've said you've got to engage so you've got to invest the time and effort into it," said Whitmarsh afterwards.
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