Atlas F1 - The Daily Grapevine

Williams Deny Rule Bending Accusations

Wednesday May 2nd, 2001

The Williams team dismissed doubts on Wednesday about their interpretation of Formula One's technical regulations.

"We've been running within the regulations up to and including Barcelona and we will continue to do so from Austria onwards," said Williams technical director Patrick Head.

Britain's weekly Motorsport News reported that Williams might have to modify the rear of their car before the next race in Austria on May 13. It said that the diffuser, the bodywork at the rear end of the floor of the car which is crucial to generating downforce, had been found to have dimensions that were legal but "against the spirit" of the rules.

The publication said rival teams were thought to have complained to the FIA, who could issue a rule clarification. The website of Autosport magazine quoted an unnamed leading technical figure from a rival team as saying that "Williams' interpretation of the regulations is to the word of the rules but not necessarily to the spirit."

FIA spokesman Francesco Longanesi told Reuters that he did not know of any official protest concerning Williams, who won the San Marino Grand Prix with Germany's Ralf Schumacher last month.

That victory was the first since 1997 for the BMW-powered team who this season have become genuine rivals to world champions Ferrari and McLaren.



Picked from the Bunch:
<<  Previous  |  May Index  |  The Grapevine |  Next  >>
*(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip
*(03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track
*(03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006
*(03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars
*(03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia


© 2005 Reuters Limited. Click for Restrictions | © 1995-2005 Kaizar.Com, Inc. Copyright & Terms
 

  < Previous | Next >


  May 2001 Index

  The Grapevine Index


  Email to Friend

  Newsroom:

   2004 at a Glance
   2004 Standings
   2005 Calendar
   2005 Line-Up
   Drivers Bio
   Teams Info
   Testing Center



  General:

   Homepage
   Magazine
   News Service
   Grapevine
   Photo Gallery
   My Atlas
   Bulletin Board
   Chat Service
   Shop @ Atlas
   Search & Archive
   FORIX
   Help