Spa sees several development steps

1 September, 2012

Sep.1 (GMM) At Spa-Francorchamps on Friday, McLaren’s 2012 car was sporting the most visible development, subsequent to Formula One’s month-long summer break.

The concept was described by Auto Motor und Sport as a pair of “unusual sidepods” for the MP4-27, featuring almost a second layer or wing above the top surface.

But the German publication said the Swiss team Sauber had actually first thought of the idea, with the gap between the surfaces apparently speeding up the air on its way to the rear of the car.

In other development news, Lotus will almost certainly not debut its double DRS-inspired straightline speed-boosting “device” at Spa-Francorchamps, after Friday’s practice washout.

“With discretion being the better part of valour, we will conduct P3 [on Saturday] with a conventional aero package rather than attempting to squeeze Friday’s intended evaluation into the precious final practice session,” said technical boss James Allison.

Subbed by AJN.

Related posts:

1. McLaren: We got through useful wet weather development work
2. New French government sees value in grand prix
3. Brawn steps down as super strategist
4. Hulkenberg admits Force India are behind in development
5. Hamilton side steps Sutil’s coward claim