Team bosses doubtful on radical wing

Although a meeting of the Formula One Commission in London on Monday voted in favour of adopting the slick-tyred wide Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing car as early as 2007, the requirement for eight out of ten teams to back the plans in the Technical Working Group may still prove to be too much.

Speaking to Autosport-Atlas immediately after the F1 Commission meeting, Minardi boss Paul Stoddart believed that the plans for the radical car may have to be put on hold until 2008.

"If eight out of 10 TWG members don't approve it, then it is not going any further at this stage - and I would put money on that happening," he said. "I don't think they will be in for 2007.

"The single tyre manufacturer rule has also been linked to them, so there is an argument that there might not be a single tyre for 2007 either. Will we get the eight votes with this design? I doubt it, but we will see."

Frank Williams believed that it was not going to be straightforward to get the 2007 regulations finalised before the end of the year - although he claimed it would be great for the sport if the car actually did increase excitement as much as has been predicted.

"I think there is total support for it, but the only thing that worries me is that there are just two months from tomorrow until Christmas for us to agree," he told Autosport-Atlas.

"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."

When asked what his personal opinions were on the concept and look of the CDG car, Williams added: "I thought I would hate it, but you get used to it quickly.

"If it delivers then 'Wow!' One's dream is to participate in a sport that every person in the world wants to watch. I think if we had the final of the World Cup 19 times a year - isn't that your dream as a motor racing nutcase."

One team boss, who did not wish to be identified, said he also doubted the rules would get the support needed in the TWG meeting.

"I cannot see if happening," he said. "There is optimistic wishful thinking for all the right reasons to make it happen for 2007, but I doubt we can do it."

FIA president Max Mosley countered the team bosses' views on Monday, however, when he said that he was optimistic the TWG would approve the concept of the car.

"Everyone who has seen the cars is very enthusiastic about it, so unless there is an unforeseen difficulty it will all be okay," he said.