- 09 Feb 09, 11:29#90226
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
From F1 Live:
The survival of Formula One's Overtaking Working Group (OWG) depends on the results of this year's sweeping bodywork rule changes.
Headed by leading team technical boffins Paddy Lowe (McLaren), Pat Symonds (Renault) and Rory Byrne (Ferrari), the group extensively tested their ideas - whose questionable aesthetics have been slammed by many F1 fans - in two wind tunnels and were ultimately rubber-stamped by the FIA.
But FIA technical consultant Tony Purnell said recently he suspects the changes have in fact not achieved the desired downforce reduction of 50 percent.
According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, FIA President Max Mosley now reveals that if Purnell's fears are realised, the FIA will not be amused.
"If the desired effect does not occur," the 68-year-old Briton warned, "then that will be the end of the expert group."
The OWG was commissioned the task of improving overtaking after Mosley's own proposal - the 'split rear wing' - was voted down by F1's team-comprised technical working group.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
Surely it would be a bit premature to do away with it after this season if there was not a significant increase in overtaking? The field could be a lot more spread out next season, so I'd give the OWG at least another year.
The survival of Formula One's Overtaking Working Group (OWG) depends on the results of this year's sweeping bodywork rule changes.
Headed by leading team technical boffins Paddy Lowe (McLaren), Pat Symonds (Renault) and Rory Byrne (Ferrari), the group extensively tested their ideas - whose questionable aesthetics have been slammed by many F1 fans - in two wind tunnels and were ultimately rubber-stamped by the FIA.
But FIA technical consultant Tony Purnell said recently he suspects the changes have in fact not achieved the desired downforce reduction of 50 percent.
According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, FIA President Max Mosley now reveals that if Purnell's fears are realised, the FIA will not be amused.
"If the desired effect does not occur," the 68-year-old Briton warned, "then that will be the end of the expert group."
The OWG was commissioned the task of improving overtaking after Mosley's own proposal - the 'split rear wing' - was voted down by F1's team-comprised technical working group.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
Surely it would be a bit premature to do away with it after this season if there was not a significant increase in overtaking? The field could be a lot more spread out next season, so I'd give the OWG at least another year.

Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008