A sour new controversy over the legality of a car is brewing at the start of the 2010 season - but only, it has to be suspected, because McLaren have trumped their rivals with an idea bordering on genius in its simplicity. And, in time-honoured fashion, everyone else is wondering why they didn't think of it themselves.
The controversy is focused on a small flap that the two McLarens have in their rear wing. The device - and car - was given the FIA's seal of approval on the eve of the season-opening race in Bahrain but further protests are thought to be likely following the race.
But on what grounds? Whilst the exact workings of the 'flap' are shrouded in mystery, it is thought that McLaren are cunningly circumventing the rules outlawing moveable aerodynamic devices because it is the drivers themselves - who are not classified as an aerodynamic device, moveable or otherwise - who operate the flap by using their right knee to cover the flow of air into the cockpit tunnel. This in turn effects the flow of air to the rear of the car and 'stalls' the rear wing.
It's believed that the advantage accrued from the device amounts to approximately an extra 6mph on the straights when the cars are running at top speed.
McLaren, somewhat unsurprisingly, are refusing to name the individual in their company who first thought up the concept, but are confident that their device is not only legal but will flattered by imitation in the weeks to come.
"People will look at what we have got on our car and I would imagine that most teams are now looking for how they would implement such a system," Martin Whitmarsh told Autosport. "I think there was a "what is it?" question initially, then there was "it can't be legal" and now people are starting to understand it there is "how quickly can we implement it?"
"Most people are saying that it was something quite ingenious. This was a very creative and ingenious individual in our company who came up with the idea and we've developed it."
Asked if he would like to identify the individual concerned, Whitmarsh replied: "Maybe in time. Secrets in F1 have a remarkably short shelf life and we will make sure that, in due course, the individual gets quite a lot of credit."
