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McLaren blocks push to keep shark fin engine cover on 2018 F1 cars

Formula 1 teams are facing a fresh headache with their 2018 car designs after McLaren failed to back a proposal to retain the fin on the engine cover

One of the items discussed in this week's F1 Strategy Group was a change to the regulations to retain a big engine fin, which could be used to display the larger car numbers the FIA wants to see.

But despite extensive work having been put in to create some rules, and teams already working on their 2018 concepts, McLaren did not vote in favour of the suggestion and instead wants a smaller version introduced.

With unanimous support needed for a change, moves are now being made for a compromise solution to be found.

The decision means that teams now face potential difficulties in finalising some of their aerodynamic characteristics ahead of the rear wing, and it could have a big impact on those outfits that have already put a lot of development work into the original larger fin idea.

McLaren is pushing for the smaller fin because it believes that the current rear wings of cars are not visible enough.

Racing director Eric Boullier also suggested that his outfit may prefer a smaller fin because it better suits their car concept for 2018.

"Maybe we have found a way to use the engine cover that works better," he said. "The cars are complicated today so it is difficult for Zak to find big stickers.

"But we are not playing games. Everyone is developing their own car so if you ask for something which is against our interests I will not go for it.

"Some teams have tried to play something that was more suiting their car model, or whatever.

"But we have a regulation in place for next year, so if there is no unanimity then there is no reason to change."

Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer expressed frustrations that his team faced uncertainty about its 2018 car design at such a late stage and questioned McLaren's motive.

"We have to release an engine cover soon, it would be nice to know the rules," he said. "I thought we had it all agreed.

"McLaren I believe wanted to expose the rear wing more, but the rear wing isn't exposed only because it sits so low now.

"That is why you cannot see the sponsor. More so than because of the fin.

"The fin hides it from certain angles but not from head on - you can't see the fin from head on.

"For us it removes a pretty big area for the sponsors."

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