Hot on the heels of the new F-duct controversy, Mercedes has turned the heat back onto Red Bull.<\/p>\n
Amid complaints from rival teams including Red Bull about its innovative aerodynamic concept aboard the W03, Mercedes’ Ross Brawn admitted he sensed a diversionary tactic.<\/p>\n
“The discussion about our system has diverted the focus from the exhaust issue,” he said in Australia.<\/p>\n
The FIA has clamped down hard on the exhaust-blown diffusers seen throughout the grid last year, but much pre-season chatter focused on some teams’ post-ban 2012 solutions that reportedly fly close to the boundaries of the new rules.<\/p>\n
But now Germany’s Bild newspaper reports that Mercedes suspects Red Bull is also bending the rules in another area.<\/p>\n
The report said Mercedes’ sound analysis indicated Renault-powered Red Bull is deploying an “illegal engine trick”, apparently involving the turning on and off of individual cylinders.<\/p>\n
Mercedes’ competition vice-president Norbert Haug commented: “There is no official protest by us.\u00a0 But there are some questions that we are asking the FIA.”<\/p>\n
Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko hit back: “No one will find anything.\u00a0 We comply with the rules.”<\/p>\n
German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport, meanwhile, reports that Melbourne winner McLaren currently has the most sophisticated exhaust solution on the 2012 grid.<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t say that it’s illegal,” said Peter Sauber, “but it’s borderline.”<\/p>\n
Teams including Mercedes, Lotus, Toro Rosso and Williams reportedly used much more conservative solutions in Australia.<\/p>\n
“First we wanted to see what is allowed and what is not,” said Williams engineer Mark Gillan.<\/p>\n
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