McLaren have abandoned their new exhaust blown diffuser for the remainder of the British Grand Prix weekend.
British team call off new device introduction after struggles
McLaren have abandoned their new exhaust blown diffuser for the remainder of the British Grand Prix weekend after both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button struggled with the new equipment.
The Woking-based team had rushed through their version of Red Bull's innovative concept which channels away exhaust gases creating more down force.
Both Red Bull cars have benefited from the device since the start of the season and they have bagged eight poles in nine Grands Prix this year.
McLaren had planned to introduce their design for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in a fortnight, but were eager to give themselves more of a winning chance at Silverstone this weekend.
However, two practice sessions in front of a record-equalling Friday crowd for the British Grand Prix of 85,000, did not go according to plan.
Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could only manage eighth and 13th quickest, with the latter in particular admitting to difficulties in trying to find the correct balance.
The team have now returned to the old design of their car which may propel them closer to the front, but undoubtedly gives Red Bull the clear advantage in Saturday's qualifying and for Sunday's race.
"The feeling in the car was positive first thing but the changes we made didn't make it better and that happens sometimes," said Hamilton. "We'll go back to what we had at first. We will improve it, you'll see. We've got the best guys in the business."
McLaren engineers and test driver Gary Paffett have worked through the night in order to make the changes, with the first test coming in the final hour-long practice session.
