McLaren to modify rear wing for Australia

Autosport.com revealed this morning that McLaren and BMW have joined Ferrari in being told that they will need to bring new designs to Melbourne amid a clampdown on flexi-wings in Formula One.

The FIA has made it clear that it will not allow the designs that have been run by the three teams to race again after stepping in to prevent a controversial post-race protest in Malaysia.

The news about McLaren and BMW comes despite both teams having signed a document on Sunday complaining about the flexi-wings on the Ferrari and threatening to protest Michael Schumacher's car unless the situation was resolved before the race.

A McLaren spokesman confirmed that the team would be modifying their wing before the next race of the championship, although insisted that it was not a major problem.

"We have received no formal communication from the FIA on this matter," said the spokeswoman. "However, a minor issue with an attachment on a secondary wing came to our attention in Malaysia and this will be rectified for the Australian Grand Prix."

McLaren are due to introduce major upgrades to their MP4-21 in time for the Australian Grand Prix in a bid to help them take their first win of the season.

The FIA has made it clear that it is hopeful the flexi-wing controversy will be sorted by the time F1 arrives in Australia for the third race of the season.

An FIA spokesman told autosport.com: "We've been concerned about several teams and confident the issues will be resolved before Melbourne."