TWG decides against new flexi-wing tests

After the issue flared up at the Malaysian Grand Prix, when eight teams threatened to protest Ferrari over their front and rear wings, there had been fears that the matter would overshadow the close fighting on the track.

But after the FIA intervened to avert the protest in Sepang, and after informally requesting modifications to the wings of Ferrari, McLaren and BMW, there had been suggestions that more stringent tests may be required to ensure no teams were exploiting the situation.

The issue was on the agenda at Wednesday's meeting of Formula One thinktank the Technical Working Group and, after discussions between the teams and the FIA, it was felt that the situation was under control enough for no action to be needed to be taken this season.

One source at the meeting told autosport.com: "I think everyone left Melbourne feeling that the wing situation was in hand and that no further action was needed this year."

However, there is likely to be some changes to the regulations for next year in relation to the slot-gap of the rear wing to further ensure that teams do not try to benefit from flexi-parts.

The TWG also did not get involved in the debate over the engine performance of Scuderia Toro Rosso's V10 engines.

Despite some teams complaining that the older power-units have an advantage over the current V8s, the matter was not discussed at length in the meeting.

The FIA are continuing to monitor the performance of the V10 and V8 engines, and have not ruled out restricting the V10s further if they believe that engines are more powerful than the V8s.