Todt not stepping into to solve knee-gate saga

 Todt not stepping into to solve knee-gate saga
McLaren Mercedes, MP4-25, detail - Formula 1 Testing, 19.02.2010, Jerez, Spain / Copyright: Davenport / xpb

Jean Todt on Friday ruled out stepping in to end F1's new 'knee-gate' controversy.

The FIA's Charlie Whiting this week declared legal an innovation on the 2010 McLaren that gives Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button a straight-line advantage.

It is believed the drivers use their left knees to shut off airflow in order to 'stall' the rear wing of the car.

Some teams - including Red Bull, Ferrari, Renault and Williams - believe the design contravenes the rules about moveable aerodynamic devices, even though the only moving part is the driver's body.

'Spirit of the regulations' or not, the situation means teams will now deploy resources to also exploit the loophole.

"Everyone is going to go and do it, no one will have an advantage, we will go and spend loads of money -- and for what?" new team Lotus' technical boss Mike Gascoyne told PA.

But at the Sakhir circuit, FIA president Todt said he had confidence in Whiting's ruling.

"I think they did a very good job. I totally trust the people that have to judge it," added the Frenchman.

Todt also told reporters that he is "very in favour" of reinstating a 107 per cent qualifying rule in formula one, but admitted that it might have to wait until 2011.

 

Source: GMM

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 Jamaicandude Jamaicandude
Good on you Jean! Don't be a slave to those who complain. Last year Brawn, Toyota & Williams were allowed to bring diffusers based on their own clever interpretation of the rules. This year, the wheel cover ban has seen Ferrari cleverly get around that by building fairings into their wheel rims. Now, McLaren has designed an aero device that is static... no movable parts whatsoever, but made it so that the driver can use his knee to block the airflow: again, clever interpretation of the rules, since the driver cannot be classified as a part of the car by any definition. Without innovation, F1 will become nothing more than a spec series, & if that's the case I'd rather watch GP2.
March 12, 2010 2:36 pm
 astroturf777 astroturf777
ever watched the superleague formula?? ridiculous concept but great spectator sport, they get out and push and punch each other after crashes.
March 12, 2010 5:26 pm
 chris25 chris25
Charlie Whiting is just some old chap who can't shut up & mind is own business. So far Jean is doing a good job than Mad Max(mosley).
March 12, 2010 5:15 pm
 sideskraper sideskraper
What are you on about? He's not even properly quoted. And he's not "just some old bloke" He is one of the most important people in Formula 1. He does a great job of it too.
March 12, 2010 9:41 pm
 astroturf777 astroturf777
yeah, to add downforce in mid corner, the drivers will put their arms outside the cockpit and move them up and down. maybe helmets (part of the driver) should include huge wings too: more downforce, lean forward. whiole they're at it, huge inflatable shoulder pads that aid in braking... i do agree that if all teams are doing it anyway it cancels the advantage and is pointless but good to see some innovation. i remember when ferrari brought in the ugly side winglets back in about 03-4? all teams had them 2 races later so they banned them just for aesthetics. (should have done that with the shark fin engine covers too)
March 12, 2010 5:25 pm