Formula One: Schumacher calm on ‘W-duct’ row

SEPANG: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher played down Mercedes’ advantage from their controversial ‘W-duct’ rear wing which has caused consternation among rival teams. Schumacher admitted the device, which channels air-flow to reduce drag, gave his team an edge, but he caustically remarked that some people were ‘a little bit too excited’ about it. “There’s no doubt that we have an innovation that gives us some performance,” said Schumacher. “But I don’t think that it is a huge performance and that we only live from this. We’ll find out. I can’t really quantify this.” However, the new wing in the season’s first technical row, is expected to boost Mercedes on the long straights in Malaysia this week.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2012.