Mercedes eyes Barcelona debut for F-duct

Mercedes is targeting May’s Spanish grand prix for the debut of its own McLaren-style ’F-duct’ air inlet system.

After Sauber tested (but did not race) a version in Australia, Williams’ Sam Michael said the Grove based team aims to be ready with the downforce-spoiling F-duct in China mid next month.

We reported that Mercedes may have been having trouble implementing the system due to the chassis homologation rules.

But Germany’s Bild newspaper quoted Norbert Haug as indicating that any such problems for the Brackley based team are not insurmountable.

"There are several teams working on it, and so are we," said the German.

"Maybe we will take it to the race on 9 May in Barcelona," added Haug.

Renault has ruled out designing an F-duct, but it is believed that Ferrari, Force India and Red Bull are all working on systems.