Dennis hints at rival bending rules

McLaren team principal Ron Dennis has stated that a rival team is bending the rules in their interpretation of technical regulations. Speaking at the launch of the McLaren MP4-17 in Barcelona, Dennis said he was suspect of technical innovations developed by an unnamed team.

"There is definitely a difference of opinion at the moment about one particular interpretation (of the rules)," He said. "It is a technical innovation, but which we believe does sit outside what we believe to be the correct interpretation of the rules."

Dennis did not name the team in question but McLaren and Ferrari have long been at odds over technical rules and what constitutes "legal devices." Ferrari are currently finishing work on the new F2002; the engine and transmission will be installed in a singular casing and it has been claimed that the gearbox is a highly advanced system that does not use a regular clutch. Some think that it's this system McLaren are suspicious of.

"We are very comfortable that everything on our car is completely consistent with the regulations." Dennis said about the new MP4/17. "We are not so sure about other people’s. It will all unfold." He also said that a major problem with the governing of Formula One technical regulations was that the FIA are too vague on the subject and he was disappointed that views on certain issues tended to change.

"‘The problem with opinions is that they are just that," he said. "You can embark upon some incredibly expensive process only to find that the opinion has changed.That has happened to many teams."