A spokesman for the French formula one team, as well as Fernando Alonso, have rubbished claims that Renault will use a revolutionary rear wing at the Australian grand prix next month.
Citing a source close to the Enstone based team, a Dutch website recently reported that the concept, nicknamed the ‘W’ wing because of its shape, would not be tested before Melbourne so that it is not copied by rival outfits.
The reports added that the piece could be worth up to five tenths per lap for the new R28 car.
But on the sidelines of the Barcelona test this week, a spokesman ridiculed the rumour when asked by the Spanish sports daily Marca.
Marca suggests that the story arose after fake photos of the supposed wing were posted on the internet by inventive fans.
To the Spanish news agency EFE, meanwhile, team driver Alonso insisted that Renault is not planning to “present anything revolutionary” on its 2008 single seater for the start of the season.
The 26-year-old former world champion did, however, suggest that the team will shortly test some improvements to the front of the R28 that should yield “one or two tenths” per lap.
