F1 averts suspension row as teams change designs

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Following a clarification over the winter by the FIA that suspension designs should not be designed to help aerodynamic performance, Red Bull and Mercedes have modified their systems accordingly.

The controversy was put on the table earlier this year when Ferrari queried the governing body about the subtle concept involving 'loaded suspensions'.

The FIA subsequently put the onus on the teams to prove their systems did not contravene the regulations. It has now emerged that both Red Bull Racing and Mercedes were forced to modify their designs.

"You are not allowed to have a suspension system that affects the aero performance of the car in anything other than an incidental way," said FIA race director Charlie Whiting on Thursday.

"We don’t allow it. That is the approach we are taking.

"We wanted to see whether the suspension is generally suspension or if it is there predominantly for the aerodynamic performance of the car. That is the change. We have been focusing far more on that this year.

"If a suspension system behaves asymmetrically, then there is not a very justifiable reason for behaving like that. So if a suspension system goes down at one speed and comes back at a different speed then really there shouldn’t be any reason for that.

"If they are not able to convince us of that then they are not able to use it."

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The impact on performance associated with a modification of the systems at Red Bull and Mercedes is unclear but estimated not to be essential.

Whiting was relieved that the matter was clarified and that teams had complied with the rule without further discussion or protest.

"Marcin [Budkowski] and Jo [Bauer] did a lot of work in Barcelona going through all the systems," Whiting added to Motorpsort.com.

"And the ones we have inspected so far [in Australia] have been as we expected them to be. We don’t anticipate any problems."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.