Malaysia Grand Prix 2012, Kuala Lumpur - Race 2/20

I can see where they are coming from though. It is clearly using a driver operated device to adjust aero on a part of the car other than the DRS flap, which is specifically defined in the rules as being the only part of the aerodynamics that can be changed by the driver.

But then I see the FIA's point of view. the system is entirely passive. The only moving part is one that by regulations is defined as being allowed to move. There isn't really any 'device' in the system that the FIA can ban.

Red Bull are going for the 'spirit of the rules' angle.

It would be very complicated for the FIA to word a ban on this. Perhaps dictating that rear wing end plates must be solid and not have any hollow parts in them? I hope it stays though.
 
Just like RBR's flexi wings were legal, which the FIA refused to ban, so is Merc's wing totally legal. Other teams can scream and shout till they are blue in the face - that Merc wing will not be banned this year. Even if RBR take them to court (as Ferrari did to BrawnGP, in 2009), it won't change a damn thing.

Also, RBR shouldn't be worrying about Merc (who aren't worth losing sleep over, note their poxy 1 point from 2 races and lack of top line driver). RBR should be worrying about McLaren and should be attempting to put them under pressure from any angle possible (even if they have to make stuff up). If Vettel is going to make a bid for the World title this year, then they need to ensure that Vettel doesn't lose too much ground to the McLaren boys, before they hit the Summer break. If Vettel can reach the Summer break within 40 points of the lead, I fancy Vettel for the title (ever since the introduction of the Summer break, RBR seem to come back from the break and dominate...for whatever reason).

If I were RBR, McLaren would be my number 1 concern and then as an outside threat - Ferrari - who perhaps may work some form of miracle and gain 1s/lap. If this happens, even if the car isn't the fastest, in the hands of Alonso, it wouldn't surprise me if he wins multiple races on the trot, leaving the rest of the field to feed off the scraps.

At this point though, McLaren are red hot favourites to win both titles.
Vettel to win, only if he can stay in touch with the McLaren boys till the Summer break. Otherwise, the 2 McLarens could finish in the top 2 positions.
 
I'd suggest that it's because there's some specific reason that the technology won't work for their car. Maybe the wing supports on the RBR are too thin, maybe there's not enough space for the ducting around the coke-bottle, as we know that Newey likes to package everything in as tightly as possible.

If they could copy it, they would have done it after the first time it was given the OK. Horner keeps giving the 'we want to make sure that it's legal before we commit resources to it' line, but we all know that's complete BS as it's now been a month since it was discovered, and it's now been OK'd 3 separate times at least.

At the moment I don't think it's too much of an issue for RBR in races as the Mercedes goes through it's tyres like a model goes through cocaine. But they're obviously concerned that if/when Mercedes get the car to use it's tyres better that they will end up as 3rd best team. Possibly 4th if Alonso keeps going as he is.
 
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Or could it be that they believe that McLaren are too far ahead and that their true competitors this year, are Merc?
 
I don't think its the focus on Merc that interesting, its the apparent complete lack of concern about anyone else. I agree with the consensus that McLaren are ahead of RBR, and Ferrari have the potential to cause them issues too.

They are taking a rather unhealthy interest in Mercs wing though... Nobody likes a cry baby.

Can you protest the same thing more than once? Actually, has the wing actually been officially protested by anyone yet?
 
I really hate it when the teams do this. Fair enough if a part is obviously illegal, but otherwise, just been them fair and square. It isn't as if red bull weren't Upto exactly the same tricks yesterday. Generally when a team is making this much noise it means they have problems.
 
Skeeter said:
I don't think its the focus on Merc that interesting, its the apparent complete lack of concern about anyone else. I agree with the consensus that McLaren are ahead of RBR, and Ferrari have the potential to cause them issues too.

They are taking a rather unhealthy interest in Mercs wing though... Nobody likes a cry baby.

Can you protest the same thing more than once? Actually, has the wing actually been officially protested by anyone yet?
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RBR are the spoilt kids of F1. Wouldn't surprise me if Vettel is the only one complaining about it and Horner et al don't really care, thumping desks and slamming doors behind the scenes. :p
 
Skeeter said:
Actually, has the wing actually been officially protested by anyone yet?
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Not officially as you can only protest another team at a race weekend. as far as I understand it RBR are getting lawyers involved to mount a legal challenge based on the fact that it's a movable aero device which is banned by the regs.

Quite why they're getting this butthurt over it is anyones guess really.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
Mercedes have never shown the ability to resolve the issues on their car over the course of the season. Ferrari are the same. RBR should be worrying more about McLaren imo.
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they kept up with the development race last season, they didnt gain on the top teams but they didnt fall behind any more either, merc werent the only team struggling with tyre tempratures in malaysia either
 
CaptainRAVE said:
I really hate it when the teams do this. Fair enough if a part is obviously illegal, but otherwise, just been them fair and square. It isn't as if red bull weren't Upto exactly the same tricks yesterday. Generally when a team is making this much noise it means they have problems.
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I wouldn't say they're losing it (RBR) but they're panicking I think.

They know McLaren are ahead of them for Qually and Race pace, and they know Merc are ahead of them for Qually pace as well...

They don't know what Ferrari are doing behind the scenes with their car upgrades and designers, but they know that that team have a driver who can beat them on race day.

RBR have basically gone from being the untouchables, to 3rd best on Saturday's and generally second best on Sundays.

But I personally feel that before too long Mercedes are going to turn around their race pace woes and be up there finishing on the podium with the McLaren boys, add Fernando into that mix and I can see why RBR are acting the way they are, to a certain extent.

They raised the bar last season, with both the Constructors and Drivers championship and have a lot to live up to with huge expectations placed upon their shoulders. They aren't living up to them.
 
I do think there's some truth in the 'they are trying hard to get it banned because it would be difficult for them to copy it' idea. That's usually the driver behind a team really pushing hard for things to be banned.
 
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