Mclaren have confirmed that they are developing a device similar to the double DRS used by Mercedes.
This comes despite confirmation on the device being banned for 2013, after a majority vote by the teams. This comes at a big disadvantage to Mercedes and Lotus, who already have key data and knowledge of the device.
Mercedes have used the device on the W03 since the start of the campaign. The device brings air through a hole in the rear wing when the DRS is enabled, making the air travel forward through the car and out in front of the front wing, stalling it. Lotus also started development on the device and tested it during Friday’s free practice sessions in Germany and Hungary.
So it comes as a surprise that Mclaren are developing a similar device, despite its ban for next season. They have the funds and resources but is there much point?
Sam Michael told Autosport “It’s not like the Lotus one, but we have got a system like that, as for the chances of us bringing it, I don’t know yet. We will look at all the programmes and see if it is feasible, because it requires work and it detracts from normal upgrades as well. So it is quite difficult to make the system work, as Lotus are discovering. But like anything in the pit lane, if we see a new idea then the guys jump on it, they analyse it and, if we decide that it will be a benefit to the team, then we will bring it in.”
On resources, he said “There is possibly the question of a wasted resource on it. As for Lotus, they are damn quick already, and if they add that then they will be even quicker.”
This comes despite confirmation on the device being banned for 2013, after a majority vote by the teams. This comes at a big disadvantage to Mercedes and Lotus, who already have key data and knowledge of the device.
Mercedes have used the device on the W03 since the start of the campaign. The device brings air through a hole in the rear wing when the DRS is enabled, making the air travel forward through the car and out in front of the front wing, stalling it. Lotus also started development on the device and tested it during Friday’s free practice sessions in Germany and Hungary.
So it comes as a surprise that Mclaren are developing a similar device, despite its ban for next season. They have the funds and resources but is there much point?
Sam Michael told Autosport “It’s not like the Lotus one, but we have got a system like that, as for the chances of us bringing it, I don’t know yet. We will look at all the programmes and see if it is feasible, because it requires work and it detracts from normal upgrades as well. So it is quite difficult to make the system work, as Lotus are discovering. But like anything in the pit lane, if we see a new idea then the guys jump on it, they analyse it and, if we decide that it will be a benefit to the team, then we will bring it in.”
On resources, he said “There is possibly the question of a wasted resource on it. As for Lotus, they are damn quick already, and if they add that then they will be even quicker.”