Newey input boosts radical wing's hopes

F1's think tank, the Technical Working Group, is due to meet on Friday to discuss and then vote on the Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing, which has been introduced with the aim of improving overtaking.

The wing will be introduced in Formula One from the start of 2008 but team bosses agreed last month that if it gets support at this week's TWG meeting then it could be brought in as soon as 2007.

The FIA needs to get the nod from eight of the 10 team representatives at the meeting for the wing to be given the green light for an early introduction.

It had been thought that such approval would be hard to get when the idea was first mooted - because of the technical complexities of making the wing work in such a short space of time.

Team boss Frank Williams said at the time the CDG wing was approved by team bosses: "There may be structural problems to overcome, with wings falling off, or vast turbulence created behind the cars, although that is being unduly negative. But to get it done and tested is a lot of work."

However, high level sources have told autosport.com that a great deal of progress has been made behind the scenes in recent weeks on making the wing a reality thanks to input from Newey - who is one of the most highly-rated technical directors in the field.

Newey's imminent switch to Red Bull Racing, who have enjoyed a good relationship with the FIA, is believed to have made the designer more open to assisting the FIA in its plans for the wing.

And although he is not scheduled to join Red Bull Racing until February, it is believed that he has been working on the wing while serving out his time with current employer McLaren.

The input of Newey into work on the rear wing would likely revolve around proving that what was just a concept a few months ago can become a reality by 2007 - both in terms of its fitting on a car and in making overtaking easier to happen.

The FIA has declined to comment about Newey's involvement but did not deny that he was working on the project.

"We cannot comment," an FIA spokesman told autosport.com. "It would be inappropriate of us to say anything on the matter."

The TWG meeting on Friday comes on the same day that the FIA is likely to publish the entry list to the 2006 Formula One World Championship - which should shed some light on whether Super Aguri's plans are on course.

The team will need to have lodged their $48 million deposit by next week if they are to be granted a place on the 2006 grid.