German Car Zone

More than a year after the granting of the FIA tender, serious opposition within the Formula One pitlane has emerged against McLaren supplying standard ECUs to all teams starting in 2008.

It is reported in the specialist technical publication Auto Motor und Sport that at least Renault, Ferrari, Honda and BMW - after trying the jointly Microsoft-McLaren electronics system recently in testing - are not happy with the idea of using the unit for the next three years.

McLaren Electronic Systems, although separate to Ron Dennis' F1 team, is based at the Woking factory and part of the McLaren Group.

The German magazine said that the aforementioned teams experienced problems with engine and throttle control when they fitted the McLaren ECU at a recent test session.

It is suggested that some teams may also now be uncomfortable with the idea of forcibly working closely - including exchanging data - with a team that is accused of industrial espionage.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore is openly unhappy about working with McLaren in 2008-2010 and is believed to be exploring legal options.


"How am I to trust a company that is at the centre of a spying scandal?" he is quoted as saying.

BMW's Mario Theissen added: "I have to say that (when we tested the ECU) some serious situations arose."

McLaren and the FIA, however, dismiss the concerns. A spokesman for McLaren said: "MES acts independently of the (F1) team," while the FIA source insisted that the awarding of the tender will be followed through with.

"The teams always oppose anything that is new," he added.

Freezing ECU development for 3 years is so ridiculous. 3 years in this biz is an iceage!

It's not about freezing it's about developing the ECU and/or engines more suited for one another.

Where is the break-away championship when you need it.

This ECU is suposebly the only way to police TC.

Well as opposed to spec engines done via 19k rpm limitations + this ECU + tons of other restrictions I'd rather TC any day.

Dam right. Actually who is complaining about cars with TC? The teams are happy, the drivers are happy, the TV audience are fine with it, they just want more overtaking, that is all.

Why was Mclaren picked for the software developement? Honestly I find it rather difficult to believe Team Mclaren-Mercedes will not benefit from this arrangement even though Mclaren electronics is seperated from the race team.

Flav can keep asking that question. I don't think he'll ever get an answer. If he asks it again, all he'll get is some PR hack at TOUI defending the team's integrity.

So what if TOUI Electronic Systems is separate from the rest of TOUI? With accounting firms, auditing and consulting services were always supposed to be separate. Look how well that worked out in the end!

I hope all the teams gang up on TOUI on this and other issues.

Well the latest:



That's one way to take out the opposition.