Ross Brawn expresses disappointment about F-duct debate – Formula 1 news
Mercedes team principal, Ross Brawn has expressed his disappointment over the ongoing criticism on the novel F-duct design of his team after the recent protest from Lotus F1 team.
“I think it is disappointing after three races that we are still in this situation,” said Brawn.
The DRS-activated F-duct design boosts up the top pace of the car during the race and provides a competitive advantage to the driver.
Moreover, Brawn said that if FIA has called the W03’s design to be legal in the first place then there should not have been anymore discussion on the matter. He also said that if Lotus wanted to protest, they should have protested in the season opener.
“The system hasn't changed and the FIA's position hasn't changed, and as far as I understand their arguments haven't changed. So if they protest now, why didn't they protest in Australia? There is nothing new,” said Brawn.
The Brackley-based team has been facing many critical remarks about the legality of their innovative design and its compliance with the rules and regulations of FIA.
It will be important to mention that Eric Boullier, the team principal of Lotus threatened to protest against the results of the qualifying in the season opener over the legitimacy of the Mercedes’ F-duct device. Nevertheless, Charlie Whiting, F1 race director
called it to be legal.
Furthermore, with regard to the declared legality of DRS-system couple of years back, Brawn said, “It is a matter of record that in 2010 Charlie stated that such a system was legal. It is in the minutes of the working group meetings. The question was asked
and he stated his opinion then that he considered it legal.”
Besides, Red Bull Racing team principal, Christian Horner is keep on raising questions about the legality of Mercedes’ car design and has been asking for further explanation from the governing body of FIA.
Conversely, Brawn said that they have been receiving contradictory statements regarding their new device just because it is very hard to integrate it into the existing systems of the cars.
He added that it has been deemed as quite expensive and unaffordable for the lower budget teams. However, he said that it is very cheap but only hard to handle in the current cars’ structures.
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