Rivals resigned to copy McLaren design

The F-duct vent system on the McLaren, which helps stall the rear wing for a straight-line speed boost via the driver covering a hole in the cockpit, has been the subject of intense controversy in the build-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Some teams are unhappy that the FIA has deemed it legal - as they believe it is effectively a moveable aerodynamic device. However, the governing body has adopted the stance that the driver cannot be treated as a moving part of the car.

Brawn, whose team stole a march on the opposition 12 months ago when it ran double diffusers, has ruled out taking the matter any further and instead says his focus will be on bringing the concept onto his own W01.

"We will have to get on and make our own version of it now," said Brawn. "It wasn't clear what the situation was, but we have had clarity from the FIA about how they want to treat it, so we are all off running in that direction."

Details of what McLaren was up to were unclear before the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, but close analysis of the car by rival teams has produced more information about the design idea.

Brawn said about his own team's view on the matter: "We had an idea that they were doing it - we didn't understand how they were doing it. But now we do."

Although Brawn is relaxed about the matter, Lotus technical chief Mike Gascoyne is still unsure why the duct system has been approved.

"I still believe it's a moveable aerodynamic device because the configuration of the [car's] aerodynamics are changing," he explained. "Whether the driver is doing with it his knee or not, they [the aerodynamics] are not the same all the time so therefore it must be a moveable aero device.

"We know what the rules are...but it is a pretty silly interpretation."

Gascoyne felt that the decision opened up the possibility of an F1 arms race to develop ever more complicated interpretations of the system - which will prove costly and ultimately only serve to level the playing field.

"Everyone is going to go and do it, no one will have an advantage, we will go and spend loads of money - and for what? It will be worth two or three tenths, everyone will go and get it - so it is a complete waste of time. Vintage F1!"