London: Williams rolled their new Formula One car out of the garage and straight into a dispute over the design of its exhausts yesterday.
The last of the 11 teams to show off their 2013 car, the former champions had barely started testing the FW35 before it emerged that the sport’s governing body disagreed with their interpretation of the rules.
“The team spoke with the FIA this morning which is when they gave us their view,” said a spokeswoman at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.
“The team are now seeking further clarification on this and a decision as to whether this design will be carried forward will be made before the first race.”
The season starts in Australia on March 17, with one more four-day test scheduled for Barcelona after the current one ends on Friday.
Teams can put all sorts of aerodynamic and technical innovations on their cars in testing with the FIA only declaring them to be ‘illegal’ once they are presented for Grand Prix scrutineering.
Reuters
